Gifts From Whakatane Help To Relieve Dutch Shortage Of Clothing

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 1, 25 November 1947, Page 5

Gifts From Whakatane Help To Relieve Dutch Shortage Of Clothing

Appreciation of the clothing sent from Whakatane to those in need in Holland is expressed in a letter received by Mrs M. J. Metcalfe, president of the League of Mothers, from a missionary in Holland, who wrote:—

“Having received your address from Mrs Kenneth Stewart, while she was here in Holland, I am now writing to thank your organisation for your kindness in sending clothing for distribution among those in need. I can assure you that everything in the way of clothing is most welcome. Clothing of every sort is scarce and difficult to get, as we get so very few coupons, and we have to give far more coupons than in England. For instance a lady’s coat, takes 40 coupons here, and in England only 15 or 18. A great number of people do not possess sheets, for the simple reason they have had to use sheets to make shirts for their husbands and sons. Stockings too are so difficult to get and very poor quality. It gives one real joy to be able to help others, especially under such circumstances, and truly there is very much real need here. Seven years is a very long time to have to do without replenishing one’s stocks. Although conditions here are still very far from normal we are very thankful that we have been liberated from that terrible German yoke. Are the people in New Zealand thankful that they were spared the awful times that Europe passed through? “We thank God for such a deliverance and for the great things He did for us in bringing our two sons home to us in good health from Germany, where they were interned as British subjects.” Mrs Metcalfg has offered to supply the writer’s name and address to anyone else who would care to help. She has also had a letter from Mrs Stewart, who comments, “Clothing is urgently required in Holland. The Germans while in occupation, took almost everything, and most people are wearing used clothing, mostly from U.S.A.”