WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20956, 8 November 1939, Page 5

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES

WAIKATO FEDERATION 81-ANNUAL CONFERENCE MANY DELEGATES MEET “Let each and every member of us endeavour to honour all our obligations to our great world-wide movement,” stated Mrs J. Ward Chapman, president of the Waikato Federation of Women’s Institutes, in her report at the bi-annual conference of the Federation held yesterday at the Winter Show Hall. The conference was attended by delegates from:— Eureka, Fairfield, Fencourt, Hillcrest, Horsham Downs, Jubilee, Karapiro, Kihikihi, Maungatautari, Melville, Motumaoho, Morrinsville, Ngaruawahia, Nawton-Rotokauri, Whatawhata, Ohaupo, Pirongia, Puahue, Roto-o-rangi, Raglan, Tauwhare, Te Awamutu, Te Kowhai. Te Pahu, Te Kawa, Whitikahu, Whitiora and Whitehall, and many important matters were discussed. At the commencement of the conference a vote of sympathy was passed to members who had suffered bereavement, in particular those affected by the Glen Afton disaster. The Mayoress, Mrs H. D. Caro, was welcomed and presented with a bouquet of roses by Mrs Chapman, who was the recipient of a bouquet from members of the executive. In a short address Mrs Chapman welcomed the Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, and Mrs McGaughran, president of the Northern Waikato District Federation, and Mrs A. E. Pearson, organiser from the King Country. These latter were presented with bouquets, and later gave short addresses. Appeal By the Mayor In welcoming the delegates the Mayor spoke of the hard and trying times ahead and of the assistance which could be given by all women’s organisations. He announced that an appeal had been made by the Patriotic Committee to these organisations to supply, before Christmas, 4000 to 5000 pairs of pyjamas, socks, parcels of Christmas cheer and Christmas puddings, these being considered the most suitable contribution at present for the comfort of the soldiers. He spoke with regret of the difficulty being experienced to obtain materials to make into these articles, as the warehouses are practically depleted. In conclusion he wished the conference every success. Prior to the reading of the minutes of the last bi-annual conference by Mrs A. Rowe, two members of the Northern Federation and Mrs H. C. Ross were presented with shoulder sprays. A vote of thanks was passed to Mrs Ross later for her adjudication in the choir competition at the recent group meeting. The president’s report which was read by Mrs J. Scobie, was as follows:

“At no time in the history of the world has there been a greater need for national and international friendship and understanding and I feel a good beginning for us all is to study .he art of being neighbourly in our everyday contacts, to cultivate tolerance, and to try and understand the other woman’s point of view. If we are to perfect our work and maintain progress, that labour should be shared as widely as possible. By contact with one another, we may iearn many things, to express our thoughts, to exercise self-control, to think and look on both sides of a question, and qualities such as these were never more needed than at the present time. Courage and wisdom are needed to deal with problems, which concern vitally the welfare of women and children.

“To-day the momentous question has arisen whether the doctrine of force, bringing in its wake, horrors and barbarisms too terrible to be contemplated, shall be given sway in the world, or whether peaceful nations shall bring their greatest and best efforts and shall use them unceasingly to ensure law, order, mercy and moral stability to. form a basis of international relationship, this being part of our national honour. Review of Activities “During the past six months we have made important advancement. On May 2 we had the pleasure of a visit from our Dominion organiser and she formed a new federation north of Horotiu, which is known as the Northern Waikato Federation,

and whereas we were one, we are now four federations. On April 24 another Maori W.I. was organised at Aramiro. “A sales table at the Winter Show was a benefit to us monetarily, and we regret that only two courts entered for competition. On June 27 and 28 we held bur annual drama festival, a section of the programme being allocated to tableaux, which were very much enjoyed. We are again deeply grateful for the splendid assistance given us by Mr A. E. Manning and the Rev. P. Sergei. On August 3 the Te Awamutu group held its first meeting. “On September 26 a day was spent in full discussion of the proposed new constitution.

1 “On October 24 four stands were , manned by our Women’s Institutes 1 to assist in a street collection for St. John Ambulance. “Several members of the executive attended the bi-annual council meeting at Huntly. At the Centennial Agricultural and Pastoral Show were displayed the articles for the Exhibition, supplemented by others, and also a sales table. The monthly visits of the Hamilton group still give continued pleasure to the inmates of the Old Men’s Home. “We are greatly indebted to the members of Fairfield and Melville for visiting our members who are for the time patients in the Waikato Hospital. The various groups have contributed flowers, cakes, cigarettes, magazines and toilet soap to the Tokanui Mental Hospital, the Old Men’s Home and Baillie Ward Several Women's Institutes have knitted vests and shawls for the j Campbell-Johnstone Ward, some institutes having had competitions for vests, all exhibits being donated. “Forty-seven visits to the various Women’s Institutes have been made by the president, four group meetings attended and the Dominion Council report given to 32 Women’s Institutes. The organisers have visited several institutes. “In conclusion, I feel that although j

many difficulties have arisen, such as petrol restriction, that our Fede- j ration is being maintained and will j be of considerable value in this time of national emergency, as the Cen- - tennial Committee has been turned into the Patriotic Committee and I , am on that committee. We close with ! a vote of thanks to our Lady Editor ; of the Waikato Times, to the other Press; and to all who have so gener- j ously assisted the executive.” Many Varied Discussions ‘ Following a discussion on the en- ! tertainment of the soldiers next i week-end, Mrs Rowe called the roll, ! which was most satisfactorily answer- : ed. | In regard to the Drama Festival next year, which it was unanimously agreed to hold, members of a drama festival committee were elected as follows:—Mrs J. W. Chapman, Mrs Pole, Mrs Malcolm Thomas, Mrs Huntington, Mrs King, Mrs Jenner and Mrs Cook. It is being con- j sidered whether choir work will be j included in the festival. The winner of the best report, I covering a period of six months, read j

I by a secretary of an Institute, was i Miss Alderson, from the Te Kawa ! Institute, her report being concise , and expressing the ideals of the organisation very neatly. Mrs Bert Andrews, of the Fairfield Institute, | was the winner of the floral dinner : bowl, which was beautifully ar- . ranged. A happy idea was the send- ! ing of the flowers exhibited to mem- ! bers who are ill in the Waikato J Hospital. ‘ The suggestion has been put forj ward that the Institutes enter one i large court at the Winter Show, all ! Institutes contributing two or three \ articles. This step has been mooted ; owing to the difficulties experienced i by many Institutes in obtaining transport, etc., and also in view of war-time, when many calls will be made upon the members. As to whether the Hamilton group would be divided was referred to the dele- 1 gates for discussion in their Institutes. i Following the luncheon adjournj ment the question of the opening of a 1 club room in Hamilton as a Centennial memorial was discussed and the j following sub-committee was elected

to deal with details: —Mesdames Chapman, Morley, Prisk, Rowe. Fletcher and Graham. Interesting Talk By Mrs H. Kaspar An interesting talk on her trip to England during the Coronation year was given by Mrs Hugh Kaspar, J.P., of Auckland, and her word pictures of notabilities she had met and the impressions she had gathered of various functions, including the Coronation ceremony in the Abbey, were much appreciated. An item by the Melville Choir, who were the winners in the recent competition, was received with enthusiasm. At the conclusion of the conference it was felt by all that a profitable and enjoyable day had been spent. Members of the executive are: Mrs J. Ward Chapman (president), Mrs E. Buckland and Mrs E. Bernard (vice-presidents), Mrs A. Rowe (secretary), Mrs J. Scobie (assistant secretary), Mrs M. Warren (treasurer). Mesdames E. Fletcher. I Bear. L. King, M. Faville, and Mrs M. Webber (voluntary organisers,