WOMAN'S WORLD

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2646, 17 December 1915, Page 3

WOMAN'S WORLD

(Continued from Page 2.)

HELPING THE DESTITUTE THE YOUNG HELPERS' LEAGUE. To the casual observer it would hardly, seem as though this were the most propitious time in which to visit NcAv Zealand for tho purpose of arousing sympathy with the work of tho Young; Helpers' League, - which is associated with the Barnardo Homes, Stepney Causeway, London. As a matter of fact, Miss E. A. Woodhead, general secretary (officially known as Miss Rachel Norton), would not have.chosen any time within the last fifteen or' sixteen months for such a purpose, but she and her associates were in a measure the victims of circumstances, as their arrangements had been made prior to the outbreak of war, and afterwards it was exceedingly difficult to cancel them. Besides, at the beginning of tho war few people of the general public realised what a mighty conflict it was to be, or that.it would affect nearly every country in the world. Being an optimist, however,' Miss Norton believes that the visit of herself and her associates .will- result in general assistance to the cause -which has done such a great work among the submerged of the great cities of England, Ireland, and Scotland.

_ Miss Norton explained that the ob. ject of tho league, which is a voluntary union founded by t'he late Dr. Barnardo some twenty-three years ago, and is composed principally of young people, was primarily to help in the sheltering and saving of crippled, blind, deaf, dumb, or in any other way afflicted boys and girls by bringing them into the homes. It is divided into two sections, the Junior Companions, who are under 18 years of ago agreeing to do all they can to help the crippled and afflicted in the, Barnardo Homes, and. the Senior Companions, who are over 18 years of age, offering what service they can on behalf of the league. 'The juniors' subscription is one shilling per annum,- which entitled the contributor to a card of membership, a collectingcard or box,' and a copy of the monthly magazine. Senior companions' pay half a crown per annum. Rather an interesting .feature about the membership lies in the fact that it lapses at the end of every year, and each companion, if he or she be keen about the league, has to join afresh. .In this way- a life membership is secured..

Up to the time of his death Dr. Barnardo was the director of the league. Afterwards, Mr. William Baker, M.A.. LL.B., became honorary director, and also chief warden. The patroness is Her Majesty Queen _ Alexandra, and H.R.H. Princess Christian is president, while H.R.H. Princess Henry of .Battenberg is vice-president. The fact that nearly 4000 children are accepted in the Barnardo Homes every year shows how vigorously the work is being carried oh, and the rule made by the late doctor that no destitute child should ever be refused admittance to the homes is still adhered to.

One of the ways in which the boys and girls who become.members of the league_ assist its work is by saving , some of their pennies, or'by organising small: bazaars or things of, that kind and putting the proceeds' in . the ; money boxes. • -Twice.'» year tihe .boxes are opened by the treasurer and .the contents sent' to London. The way in which the Barnardo boys have been doing their share in the Empire's defence is shown by the following figures compiled early in November Old Barnardo' boys in the Canadian Contingents, (at least), 1000; in the Indian Contingent,. /; in it-he Australian and New':Zealand -Contingents, 7; enlisted. in Jamaica, 1; enlisted in China, 1; enlisted in the British Army at Home since the war broke out, 268; boys trained at -the Watts Naval Sdiool and now in' the Navy, 239 (300 boys are constantly in training at this school); Stepney hoys known to be in the Navy, 42. Total of list to date, 1565. The, homes have also placed in the Mercantile Marine, up to December 31 last, 3125 boys.

Bamardo boys have been in most, if not all, of the naval engagements, ten of them being on battleships that were storming the Dardanelles, while three were on board the Gressy, the Abonlcir, and the Hogue when' they w-re torpedoed and sunk. At the siege of Antwerp, an old boy gained a commission in the Navy and a D'.S.M. for bravery. Two have gained commissions in the Army, while 33 boys have given their lives for their country; 66 have been wounded, and six are prisoners of war.' As. the homes have been' in existence for 49 years it is really impossible to compile anything like a complete list of the boys who have been serving with the forces, but the figures enumerated above are correct so far as they go. A work that reclaims to their country boys or men ready;to lay down their lives in its defence is surely work that must commend itself to everyone's sympathy and practical assistance.

Since they have been in New Zealand, Miss Norton and her associates have

gained a large number of members. Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool lias consented to become patroness of all branches formed in the Dominion, and when it is understood that the league, both directly and indirectly, is helping the causo of the Belgians in England, as well as the distressed poor (and there will be many destitute cnildtou before the war is over), the appeal for sympathy and interest in the work can hardly be passed by. That the league can help in quite a. substantial way was shown by the fact that at the end of the 22nd year of its existence in Britain the companions had contributed to tho homes over £300,000.

■i Mrs-. Smith, of Sayes Court, Aurora 'iWace, is entertaining roturned sick ai.\d wounded soldiers oil Friday afternoon at her residence from half-past two' onwards. Mrs. Smith lias not been able. to get into communication with all wounded soldiers in town, but she hopes tliab as many as possible will attend the party;.

Mrs. Xulio wonld be very glad if tjie ladies »4o are at the head of each individual x?arty of helpers who have been allotted 'the hutmeuis m connection with' the Christmas dinner arrangements oil i\he 23rd would meet her at the Town H.lll (Mayor's lloom) on Monday evening ft eight o'clock. Various matters ha\\e' to be discussed and arranged for by'\ those in charge of each party. ' (

Mrs. Boden, of the Defence Visiting Committee, believes that several citizens in Wellington are desirous of entertaining on Christinas L\iy a' returned soldier who may have no home in, the Dominion or who happens to be in Wellington at that time. She will be very glad if those wishing Ao entertain those soldiers would communi'cate with her, as although many offers have been received there are still a few to provide for. The telephone numl\er is 2032.

At Hataitai the pupils o"f Miss Monkman's private school for children held a Christmas Tree party in the schoolroom on Wednesday evening:, The parents and friends who formed.'the appreciative audience were entertained with songs, recitations, and dances by the little ones, and. much gaiety was added to the sccne by.the presence of a Christmas Tree festooned with red, blue, and white and lit with tiny coloured lights. Each parent was the recipient of a, present made by tho children, and tho latter also received presents from tho Christmas Tree) Before the evening cam© to an end an appreciative speecii was made by one of the parents referring to the skilful, tuition of tho children by Miss Monkman, and the' care and attention which h£d been paid thorn during the year. - Cheers for Miss Monkman were given before the party ended. . 1 j

Missßonayne, who has bean associated with the kindergarten work at St. Matthew's School for some years, is severing her councetion -with the school, and intends returning to Wellington. Most of Japan's pearl divers aro women, who begin to learn the trade at the age of 13 or 14.