FOR THE WOUNDED AND SICK

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2455, 7 May 1915, Page 3

FOR THE WOUNDED AND SICK

* , I A WORKING MEETING. At the request of a number of citizens the Mayoress, Mrs. J. P. Luke, called a meeting of women to consider tho matter of equipment for the stationary hospital which will leave shortly ly for tho front, and also to make arrangements by means of which a constant supply of clothing and medical comforts for tho soldiers will bo tejit wherever needed. Considering the object of the meeting and tho fact that such equipment is so vital to the welfare of the soldiers, there was a surprisingly small attendance, but possibly that micht be accounted for by the shortness of the notice which was given. At any rate there was no lock of enthusiasm "and concern on the part of those who were present, and no effort will be spared to enlist the (services of a large army of helpers. Mrs. W. F. Massey, Mrs. H. D. Bell, and Miss Coates occupied seats upon tho platform with the Mayoress.

In explaining the objects of the meeting, Mrs. Luke said that very shortly a hundred men would be leaving Wellington to form a stationary hospital in the war zone. There had been a iiaod deal of misunderstanding about the term stationary hospital, and it had been mixed up with a base hospital, which was auite a- different thing. A stationary hospital, the speaker explained was a travelling hospital that followed up the actual fighting as oloselv as it could. The Imperial Authorities were providing the whole equipment of the hospital save for the bed and bedding, and the New Zealand authorities "had decided to get the latter from England, as it was not made in this country, and had cabled to that effect. A large number of people thought that the Government should equip the soldiers, but as that would mean the plain bare necessities, there was left to the women the privilege of providing extras in the way of comforts. etc. As the Home authorities were seeing to the equipment of the hospital at the other end, it meant that there would bo more time to see to the equipment of the '.2000 men who would be leaving in a given period of time. Balaclavas were the most important thing to think of at the present time, and everything should be held back for them. Eighteen hundred were wanted, and with the 200 that were already stored out at Trentham, two thousand were accounted for. Excellent sox could be bought, but Balaclavas had to be made. A list was read of articles needed which has been already published. Shirts and pyjamas were cut bv a tailor to a standard pattern. This work of providing comforts for sick and wounded soldiers would bo continued as long as the necessity existed, and wherever it was most required, whether it would be at Trentham Hospital, at Samoa, or wherever our men were at the front. Wherever the call came from there was the place ior help to be sent.

Mrs. Walter Nathan proposed that all present form themselves into a Military Hospital Guild. Mrs. Fitchott seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously.

Mrs. Waters inquired whether thero were possibility ot any overlapping between the work which was being carried on bv the St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas and its divisions, and ohat which it was proposed at the meeting to do. Mrs. Preston was also anxious

that' there should be no possibility of such a tluug occurring. She also read a_ letter in which the secretary of tho New Zealand Natives' Patriotic Society stated that the society had decided to contribute 25 per cent, of the proceeds resulting from the carnival to the St. John funds, provided that the sick and wounded at the front were provided with medical comforts, surgical appliances. etc. Mrs. Luke thought there would be so much to be done for our soldiers in the time to come that every effort would be needed from every organisation. She also paid a tribute to the work which had been done by the St. John Ambulance and by the Victoria Leaguo and other women's organisations.

The following committee was set up: President, Miss Coates; vice-president, Mrs. W. F. Hassey; hon. treasurer, Aliss Joseph; hon. secretary, Miss Nathan; committee, Medames J. P. Luke, L. Blundell, Shirtcliffe, Eobertaou, Hogben, Fitchett, Winder. A suggestion was received from the Hon. James Allen, in which the following articles were mentioned as being needed:—2oo bed-jackets, 200 pairs borlsox, 100 pairs pyjamas.