Hocken Digital Collections

Dunedin Housewives' Association : Records

Details

Reference NumberAG-002CreatorDunedin Housewives' AssociationDescriptionThe collection includes minutes, letter books, correspondence file, annual reports, financial records, and photographs. There is one folder of photographs relating to the Co-operative Women's Guild.
Only a small part of this collection is digitised and available through Digital Collections. Information about other items can be found on the Hākena catalogue, through the Library Catalogues link above.History / BiographyThe inaugural meeting of the Dunedin Housewives' Union was held in October 1930,'for the purpose of discussing ways and means of organising the wives of the workers to take an interest in the affairs relative to the Home, Children, and matters of importance to women generally'. In the following Depression years, discussions revolved around the price of milk, meat and school books, housing, conditions at men's relief camps, and unemployed women's problems. In 1939 the name changed to the Dunedin Housewives' Association and during the war years the association monitored price levels, often going to the Price Tribunal for redress. Continuing shortages and ever-increasing price ranges led the association to seek a Dominion Federation to strengthen their cause. In 1955, a conference was organised in Dunedin for the various associations throughout the country and the New Zealand Federation of Housewives was formed. For the next two decades the Dunedin branch of the federation continued to fight 'the things which help to make the life of the housewife one continuous struggle'. On 9 August 1977, the association agreed to disband.

Photograph

Group of women at the Federation of New Zealand Housewives conference, Christchurch

Depicts Or Relates To

SubjectsWomen - Societies and clubs

Digital Collections

Hocken Digital Collections

Menu

Dunedin Housewives' Association : Records

Hocken Collections | Te Uare Taoka o Hākena