SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF HOME AND FAMILY

The Society for the Protection of Women and Children, as it was formerly called, was founded in Auckland in 1893 under vice-regal patronage. Similar societies were formed in Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin within a few years, and during the 1950s a federation of societies under its present name was set up. The aims of the society were to protect women and children from maltreatment, to supply legal assistance in obtaining redress, and to improve the legal rights of women. With the improvement in the status of women, the emphasis of the society's work has changed. Social workers are now largely employed in marriage guidance work, in supplying legal advice without charge, and in providing assistance to alcoholics, unmarried mothers, and adolescent girls. The four societies have continued to function, with the headquarters of the federation at Auckland. They are supported by voluntary donations and grants from various organisations, as well as from the Government.

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

WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION (W.C.T.U.)

The motto of the Women's Christian Temperance Union is “For God, Home and Humanity”, and its original platform consisted of “Peace, Purity, and Prohibition”. The movement began in New Zealand in 1885 with the arrival from the United States of Mrs M. C. Leavitt, who brought with her a petition to be signed by women in all parts of the world urging their governments to introduce the prohibition of alcohol. Branches were soon established, the condition of membership being a pledge to abstain from all intoxicating liquors. The union has also been associated with a number of other reforms, including women's franchise, the purity of the home, the teaching of religion in schools, and welfare work, particularly amongst seamen. Its headquarters are in Wellington. There are 76 branches. It is affiliated to the National Council of Women and has given support to the Pan-Pacific and South-East Asia Women's Associations, as well as the New Zealand Alliance.

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

WOMEN'S DIVISION FEDERATED FARMERS OF NEW ZEALAND (Inc.)

The Women's Division Federated Farmers of New Zealand is a non-party political and non-sectarian society with aims to better the conditions of women and children living in the country, and to stimulate and encourage interest among the farming community in every way by the cooperation of women with farmers' organisations. The movement began in 1925 when a group of 16 farmers' wives, on holiday in Wellington while their husbands were attending a conference of the Farmers' Union (now the Federated Farmers), became concerned with the hardships of farmers' wives and families living in isolated and backblocks areas, and so formed a group which has now grown into the second largest organisation of women in New Zealand. Membership is open to all women interested in these aims, and in 1965 the membership total was over 27,000. There are 800 branches, which form 60 provincial units, and an annual Dominion Conference elects the Dominion Council for the control of their affairs, with a permanent secretary in Wellington. This organisation has its own emergency housekeeper service for country women in time of sickness, and, should payment for these services be a hardship, financial assistance may also be given. The division has been responsible for various publications, including cookery books, and has its own magazine, N.Z. Countrywoman, published every two months.

Rest and holiday homes have been established throughout the country to enable country women to take a rest at moderate cost and in congenial surroundings. Amongst these are “Scotlands” at Auckland; “Te Kiteroa” at Waimate; “Melrose” at Nelson, which was bequeathed to the Women's Division by the late Colonel and Mrs Noel Adams; and “Harris Cottage” at Stanmore Bay, a bequest by Miss M. Harris. In 1948 Dr Agnes Bennett bequeathed her home, “Honda”, at Lowry Bay, Wellington, as a rest and holiday centre, but this property has now been disposed of and the funds are to be used to extend the headquarters building in Hawkestone Street, Wellington, so that this may become a residential club for the use of members. This property will be known as “Honda – the Agnes Bennett Memorial Clubrooms”.

Members are linked with kindred organisations overseas through the Associated Country Women of the World.

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