Women's Institutes

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 14, 17 October 1930, Page 32

Women's Institutes

Growing Interest — THE days are now gone when living , in the country meant almost complete isolation for women. Improved railway facilities, motor-cars, and wireless have all played their part in bringing rural dwellers: into closer contact with the world at large, and now we have women’s institutes, the object cof which is to bring country women together for social intercourse and the discussion of matters of common interest. ‘ Though of an international character, it is only within the last eight yearg that the movement has established ia self in New Zealand. But in those fev years a tremendous amount of activity has been manifest, and now there ure nearly 200 women’s institutes in this

country. They hold a social gathering once a month, and specialise in the development of arts and crafts. In Wellington during the past week there has been a conference of delegates from the various New Zealand institutes, with the object of co-ordinating the different branches by the formation of a national federation for the Dominion. At the same time there has been an exhibition of the handiwork of members, and the excellence of the exhibits testifies to much latent talent, which might never have found an outlet had it not been for the stimulus afford, ed by the institutes. Great ingenuity was shown in the making of mats and rugs from materials, which would ord-

inarily be discarded, such as strips of sacking from sugar bags, unravelled wool, and men’s worn-out underwear. Old motor tire tubes were utilised to make the most artistic shopping bags, and dainty mocassins were manufactured from the most ancient of felt hats. At one stall there was an admiring group of visitors round a wonderful hatbox, which had begun life as a cheese crate, and now stood padded and lined with rose-coloured silk-a fitting home for the latest Parisian creations! | The interests of agriculture are not neglected by the institutes, and there was on show a_ shield presented by Miss Crawford, of Massey Agricultural College. This shield is to be competed (Concluded at foot of column 3.) f

for yearly by the various institutes, and is given for the best crop of potatoes, each member planting three tubers. If won by one institute three times in succession it becomes the property of that institute. The silver motto on the shield is a fitting summary of the aims and objects of the movement: "For Home and Country."