BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S CLUBS

WOMEN'S ORGANISATIONS

by Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.Pamela Somers Cocks, M.A., DIP.N.Z.L.S., Archivist, Wellington.Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.Pamela Somers Cocks, M.A., DIP.N.Z.L.S., Archivist, Wellington.Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.Pamela Somers Cocks, M.A., DIP.N.Z.L.S., Archivist, Wellington.Pamela Somers Cocks, M.A., DIP.N.Z.L.S., Archivist, Wellington.Pamela Somers Cocks, M.A., DIP.N.Z.L.S., Archivist, Wellington.Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.

BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S CLUBS

The Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs is a world-wide organisation consisting of women, employed in many different spheres, who cooperate for the common good. They are united in concerns of public welfare both in their local community and in the world at large. The New Zealand branch was formed in Wellington in 1939, mainly through the groups of the “Round Table” clubs of the Y.W.C.A.. Before long many new clubs had been formed, with the result that in 1946 the Business and Professional Women's Clubs became an independent organisation affiliated to the International Federation. In the early years of the movement, the social service of the clubs was mainly concerned with war service work; then, while still continuing to send parcels to overseas clubs, they began other projects. At the same time serious studies relating to citizenship and the status of women in New Zealand and other countries occupied a prominent place, with international affairs constantly to the fore. In short, the objects of these clubs are to awaken and encourage in business and professional women a realisation of their responsibilities in civic, national, and international affairs, to assist them to take an adequate part in the life of the community, in social and economic fields, and to foster understanding and cooperation between business and professional women in all parts of the world, without distinction of race, religion, or political belief.

Since its formation, the New Zealand Federation has been well represented at all international conferences. Cooperation with other women's organisations has always been very close, as is shown by the recent formation, in Wellington, of a “Joint Committee on Women and Employment” comprising members of this organisation, the Federation of University Women, and the Y.W.C.A., supported by the National Council of Women. In 1965 the membership total was approximately 1,500 and there were then 24 branches.

by Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.

DOMINION FEDERATION OF NEW ZEALAND COUNTRY WOMEN'S INSTITUTES (Inc.)

The largest organisation of women in New Zealand in 1965 was the Federation of Country Women's Institutes with a membership of some 35,000, in over 1,000 institutes in all parts of the country, and a further 200 members in a Cook Islands group, formed some 10 years ago. The movement of Country Women's Institutes in New Zealand is due to the organisation and enthusiasm of Miss A. E. Jerome Spencer (who was later also responsible for the formation of Townswomen's Guilds), and since its inception in the early twenties the movement has spread rapidly.

The main objects of the institutes have been to provide further education for women living in the country to enable them to take an active part in rural life and its development in the widest sense, and to provide a training ground for community work so that members may become qualified to give service on county and borough councils, on hospital boards, and committees. Thus members should be able and ready to give service wherever and whenever needed. A very high standard of cultural work has been maintained in these institutes, as is shown in the national competitions in drama, handicraft, art, literature, and music. The housekeeping scheme was one of the earliest activities of the movement and has been in operation ever since, providing a valuable service for sick members and for any country women in need. Visiting of patients in hospitals, especially mental hospitals, has long been another important part of their activities. A “lone member” scheme for those in isolated parts as well as links with overseas organisations are also features of the work of these institutes. A magazine, Home and Country, has been published monthly for over 30 years.

by Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.

DOMINION FEDERATION OF TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILDS

Townswomen's Guilds exist to encourage the further education of women to enable them, as citizens, to make their best contribution towards the common good. They are essentially democratic and aim at stimulating the latent talent of all their members by a balanced programme of lectures and demonstrations, and at providing facilities for self-development and training in principles of citizenship. Thus there are discussions on all matters relating to the home, and the community; to domestic and local affairs including health, housing, and education; and to cultural interests such as music, art, horticulture, and handicrafts. The guilds also encourage members' interest in special charitable and other societies.

Townswomen's Guilds had been in existence in Britain for some years prior to 1931 when the severe earthquake in Hawke's Bay dislocated all local activities. Miss A. E. Jerome Spencer, who was conversant with Towns-women's Guilds overseas, considered that such an organisation in New Zealand would do much to bring women together for mutual help and combined efforts. Such was her enthusiasm that there is now a very widespread and active organisation. In May 1932 the first meeting was held in Napier and in the following year another Hawke's Bay branch was formed in Hastings. By 1965 there were 89 guilds in the Dominion Federation, with their own quarterly publication, The Townswoman.

by Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.

FEDERATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN

The Federation in New Zealand is part of a worldwide organisation, formed after the First World War to bring together graduates of different countries to promote friendship and understanding as an effort towards world peace. It was formed mainly through the enthusiasm of Dr Winifred Cullis (Great Britain) and Dean Gildersleve (U.S.A.). Shortly after the formation of the International Federation, Professor Helen Rawson, later Mrs W. N. Benson, while on a visit overseas, met these two women and, on her return, urged the formation of a branch in New Zealand. In 1921 a meeting was held in Christchurch and, as a result, the task of drawing up a constitution, based on the international constitution, was entrusted to the Otago Women Graduates' Association. Miss Gladys Cameron and Miss Kate Hogg did much towards this, and the latter presented the New Zealand constitution at the International Conference at Paris in 1922. Thus the New Zealand branch of the International Federation was formed and immediately, in 1922, branches took shape in the four university centres. The aims of the Federation are to promote understanding and cooperation among university women, to represent women graduates in matters which affect them, and to encourage research by university women. The Federation has been concerned with problems of careers for women and the status of married women in the professions; they also support the international clubhouses in London, Paris, and Milan. The Federation has had several bequests which enable them to grant awards for research work; this is truly international and awards are made for study in any country. Even New Zealand has shared in such awards. The New Zealand Federation has raised a fund to endow a fellowship to assist their own graduates in research work overseas, or for overseas women to work in New Zealand.

Triennial conferences are held both by the International Federation and by the New Zealand Federation. New Zealand has been represented at conferences and meetings in many parts of the world, the last conference being at Brisbane in 1965. In New Zealand a scheme was adopted whereby each branch in turn became headquarters for a term of three years. The practice continues and conferences are held in the four main centres. There are now 15 branches with a membership of over 1,500.

by Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.

LEAGUE OF MOTHERS

The league was formed under the auspices of Lady Alice Fergusson in 1926 to provide for all mothers, regardless of religious persuasion, an undenominational fellowship similar to the Mothers' Union. It aims to uphold the sanctity of marriage and to help parents to realise their responsibilities in bringing up their children. At present there are 121 branches throughout the country, comprising 11,000 members. The branches are organised into eight districts: Auckland, South Auckland, Taranaki, Wellington, Hutt Valley, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland. The Dominion headquarters of the league rotates between districts, each term lasting three years. The league is affiliated to the International Union of Family Organisations in Paris, which in its turn is affiliated to the United Nations.

by Pamela Somers Cocks, M.A., DIP.N.Z.L.S., Archivist, Wellington.

MAORI WOMEN'S WELFARE LEAGUE

In the late 1940s it became evident to those interested in the future of the Maori people that there was need for them to prepare themselves for the rapidly changing economic and social conditions of modern life, and it was felt that the women could assist in this. Up to that time Maori women, with a few exceptions, had not taken part in public or in tribal affairs. A meeting was called in Wellington, in 1951, at which the Maori Women's Welfare League was formed. Its prime objective may be summed up as follows: “To promote fellowship and understanding between Maori and European women and to cooperate with other women's organisations, Departments of State, and local bodies for the furtherance of these objects”. The league is also pledged to preserve, revive, and maintain the teaching of Maori arts and crafts and to perpetuate Maori culture. Its welfare work extends to giving aid to members and others in need. From the outset the growth of the league was rapid, and within 14 years the membership had risen to some 3,000 members in branches in all parts of the country. A conference is held annually at which Maori women are gaining confidence in expressing their views on all topics which affect their people, especially with regard to health and education. The league has already justified its formation.

by Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN

The National Council of Women was inaugurated in Christchurch in 1896 when Kate Sheppard, a prime mover in the franchise for women movement, gathered together a group of women who, like herself, were concerned with social reforms in general and, in particular, reforms affecting the status and conditions of their sex. She became first president of the council which she formed.

The extent and variety of the reforms advocated by the national council in those early days set an example which modern members of the council have continued to follow. They were concerned with such issues as the introduction of old age pensions, the regulation of hours and conditions of work, the extension of technical education both in primary and in secondary schools, and penal reforms such as the classification of types of criminals, the introduction of the indeterminate sentence, and the abolition of capital punishment. They were also concerned with equal pay, and with compulsory jury service, for women. They also endeavoured to encourage women to serve on local bodies. Later, they turned their attention to advocating the appointment of women as Justices of the Peace and as members of the Police.

This organisation continued its work until 1910, when it went into recess. In 1917 it was revived on a somewhat different basis. Since that date it has been a coordinating body comprising representatives of a number of women's organisations and organised into a series of local branches. The first branch was established at Wellington, followed shortly by the formation of branches at Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Gisborne. The number of branches has now grown to 33. There is a wide variety of women's groups affiliated to the local branches and, at the national level, 23 nationally organised women's societies are affiliated to the National Council of Women. Since 1900 the New Zealand national council has been affiliated to the International Council of Women, New Zealand being represented at the last triennial conference held in 1960 in Turkey.

The national council has continued its traditional concern for social reforms, particularly for the welfare of women. The reforms advocated include the representation of mothers on the Maternity Service Committee of the Board of Health, the appointment of women to parole boards, the enforcement of the Indecent Publications Act, and, continuously, the admission of women to jury service on the same basis as men. Other matters that have received attention in New Zealand have been the censorship of films for television, housing conditions for single women, the formation of the Intellectually Handicapped Children's Parents Association, the improvement of education, and the raising of the standard of teacher training. The National Council of Women has also joined with other organisations in condemning the testing of nuclear weapons and in protesting on this issue to the Government.

In 1961 the national magazine, New Zealand Women in Council, was superseded by the publication Women's Viewpoint.

by Pamela Somers Cocks, M.A., DIP.N.Z.L.S., Archivist, Wellington.

NEW ZEALAND FEDERATION OF COUNTRY GIRLS' CLUBS (Inc.)

Country Girls' Clubs bring together girls who have similar interests but few opportunities for an exchange of ideas. The aims of the organisation, the New Zealand Federation of Country Girls' Clubs (Inc.), is stated to be: (a) To advance the educational and cultural pursuits of its members, and their knowledge of agriculture, homecraft, and community life; and (b) to develop the spirit of leadership among the youth of the community. The clubs function for the purpose of enabling members to gain mutual support and companionship, and to maintain a high standard of efficiency and courtesy in their home-making activities. The clubs arrange lectures and demonstrations, internal and overseas tours, and many forms of gatherings for education and mutual help. They cooperate with any other organisations with similar aims, particularly with the Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs, Women's Division of Federated Farmers, and the Country Women's Institutes. The home science instructors of the Department of Agriculture take a lively interest in the clubs, and have been of great assistance to them in their activities.

In 1965 there were 158 clubs with approximately 2,000 members. In addition to the usual officers of an organisation, each club may elect up to three advisory members from the older women of the community, who give advice but do not vote at committee meetings. Trophies have been donated for competition at annual conferences, in debating, public speaking, posters, essays, needlework, efficiency, and leadership.

by Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.

NEW ZEALAND WOMEN WRITERS' SOCIETY (Inc.)

The New Zealand Women Writers' Society was formed in 1932 and is affiliated with the Society of Women Writers and Journalists, London. The headquarters are in Wellington, with a branch in Auckland and two smaller active groups in Waikato and Hawke's Bay, making a total membership of 260. Membership is in two categories: full membership and associate membership, and is granted on submission of published work of a standard approved by the executive. A monthly bulletin contains news of publications by members, a guide to New Zealand and overseas markets, and general literary information. Since 1960 the production of this bulletin has been assisted by a grant from the State Literary Fund.

In 1959 the Bank of New Zealand sponsored the Katherine Mansfield Memorial Award, of the value of 100 guineas, to be awarded biennially for work published by a New Zealander. The Women Writers' Society has organised the award which since 1963 has been restricted to writers of short stories. Winners have been Maurice Duggan and Elsie Locke, with a special prize to a young Maori writer, Arapera Blanc (1959); C. K. Stead (1961); Maurice Shadbolt (1963); and F. Sargeson (1965).

by Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.

PAN-PACIFIC AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION

The Pan-Pacific Women's Association grew out of two conferences of women of Pacific countries, held at Honolulu in 1928 and 1930, to discuss questions affecting the welfare of women and children. In 1931 a national committee of the Association was formed in New Zealand. Its aims are to promote friendship and understanding amongst women of the Pacific and, since 1955, of South-East Asia; to work for the better preservation of peace; and to help women in these countries cooperate for the study and improvement of social conditions. At the national level a number of national women's organisations are affiliated as corporate members, while at the local level seven area groups have been formed, to which are affiliated associate groups, that is, local women's organisations. Nine conferences of the whole association have been held.

by Pamela Somers Cocks, M.A., DIP.N.Z.L.S., Archivist, Wellington.

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WOMEN'S ORGANISATIONS 23-Apr-09 Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.Pamela Somers Cocks, M.A., DIP.N.Z.L.S., Archivist, Wellington.Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.Pamela Somers Cocks, M.A., DIP.N.Z.L.S., Archivist, Wellington.Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.Pamela Somers Cocks, M.A., DIP.N.Z.L.S., Archivist, Wellington.Pamela Somers Cocks, M.A., DIP.N.Z.L.S., Archivist, Wellington.Pamela Somers Cocks, M.A., DIP.N.Z.L.S., Archivist, Wellington.Olive Rita Croker, M.A., Botanist, Wellington.