MISS NEW ZEALAND

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 72, 27 August 1947, Page 6

MISS NEW ZEALAND

DOMINION WIDE ACTIVITY FOOD FOR BRITAIN CAMPAIGN So that more money may be collected > for its “Food For Britain” fund, the Royal Society of St. George has extended the time in which entrants in the “Miss New Zealand” quest are required to lodge their entry fees. This decision has been made by the Board of Directors of the quest at the suggestion of many prospective candidates, who have pointed out that once their collecting organisations have been set up they can well raise extra money by having a few extra weeks to do it in. Accordingly, while the closing date for entries for the quest remains as originally fixed at September 2, candidates are not now required to have their minimum entry fee of £250 paid by them, but will be allowed until October 11.

“This extension will we hope, encourage that section of the quest in which a special award is to be made to the candidate who exceeds by most the £250 minimum entry fee,” Mr G. G. Sherwood, chairman of the Board of Directors, said. “The quest has. two .objects—the finding of 'the ideal New Zealand girl who can worthily represent the Dominion on a round-the-world trip, and the raising of as much money as possible to be .turned into food parcels for thousands of people in Britain. In view of the latter object the directors had no hesitation in acceding to the suggestion put forward by many interested people that more time given to collect the money would mean more money collected.” The executive director of the quest, Mr K.'W. Kilpatrick, whose headquarters are in the Hotel St. George Building, Willis Street, Wellington, is receiving a steady stream of inquiries from prospective candidates. Campaign Methods Some of the girls whose entries are already in are conducting successful campaigns to raise the necessary money. They report that they are not finding it difficult, because of the widespread sympathy felt in New Zealand for the people of Britain in their present difficulties.

A novel way of raising money is being used by a' Wellington girl, Miss Valerie Simpson. She is conducting what she calls “Operation Simpson,” which is simply an appeal for help from everybody of that name. It is going very well, she says, but she is a little envious of the success that must attend an “Operation Smith”! ( Among the prospective entrants is the daughter of a well known Member of Parliament. Entries Refused A number of other entries have had to be refused because the girls' were not born in New Zealand. Included in those rejected because of this necessary qualification are Australian, British and Yugoslav girls who came here as infants. Progress is being .made with the appointment of the panel of judges who will travel round New Zealand and personally interview every entrant in each of the 17 districts. But until nearly all the entries are received the picture of their required travelling will not be clear enough for a schedule to be drawn up for the judges, and so no announcement will be mflde until later.' Clothes For Trip Another item of news.for intending competitors is that the winner, when she reaches London, will have an evening gown and a tailored costume exclusively designed and made for her by Mr Norman Hartnell. As the Queen’s dress designer, Mr Hartnell is at present busy, on preparation for the marriage of Princess Elizabeth in November next, but will be over, of course, before “Miss New Zealand” reaches London.

Briefly, here are the conditions of the quest:— Entrants must be single women between the ages of 18 and 30, and must be New Zealanders by birth. The entry fee is £250 or as much as can be raised in the time available. This money is spent by the Royal Society of St. George on sending food parcels to a long list of people whose names and addresses are obtained from the parent society in London. The people named on the list are members of the general public and include more than 700 winners of the Victoria Cross, the George Cross and the George Medal.

The Dominion is to be divided into 17 districts for the quest. The winner in each district will receive £IOO, and will take part in the final judging to determine who “Miss New Zealand” shall be. “Miss New Zealand” will get an additional £250, a free trip by land, sea, and air to

Britain, a film test at a leading British studio, a complete wardrobe of the best New Zealand can produce, and trophy of some sort as a permanent memento of her triumph. It is expected that she will leave New Zealand in time to reach Lon-, don in the English springtime. The judges will make their placing's according to beauty, health, education, photogenic possibilities, voice culture, education and deportment, and sporting qualifications. The quest is not just another beauty contest; indeed, so far is it removed from that sort of thing that photographs of candidates in bathing costume are prohbited. Widespread support has been accorded the quest from national and civic leaders, including the Prime Minister' (Mr Fraser), the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Holland) and the Minister of Health (Miss Howard).

Those who are thinking of entering are reminded that they must make their decision and have it in !&e hands of the executive director, Mr Kilpatrick, Box 3002, Wellington, by Tuesday, September 2. After that they have nearly six more weeks in which to find their entry money.