THE CALL FOR HELPERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2988, 27 January 1917, Page 4

THE CALL FOR HELPERS

CITIZENS' WORK FOR THE SOLDIEES. There was a good attendance of women and a few men at tile meeting . in the Concert Chamber called by Mrs. J. P. Luke last night to consider further measures for tho extension of our local war work. Mrs.- Luke was in tlie chair, and l briefly addressed tho meeting as to tho scope and aims of the now league which is to be formed. ■ She dwelt on tho good work that had already been accomplished by tho ' Bed Cross workers, and the members of the Lady Liverpool Fund, and the Christmas Gift IHmd. More help was urgently, required by the periflanent workers at. tho Town-Hall if the soldiers were to bo properly equipped and" provided with tho necessary comforts. The women workers had done splendid work, and their zeal was stimulated from time to time by most delightful letters of appreciation .for benefits received from tho officers andi men at the front and in the. hospitals. Every soldier should receive a parcel once' • a month, and to do this efficiently and regularly more helpers must como forward >nd assist the permanent staff. Parcels would be forwarded by the transports by a special ararngement with tho Minister of Defence. Ladies are not asked! to givo up any society or guild to which they belonged, but simply to promise to give a day, or even half a day, to assist at the Town Hall when called- upon to do so. As an instance of women's promptitude and efficiency, Mrs. Luke mentioned with regard to her remarks about transports that 400 Englishwomen in an emergency had recently painted a transport, inside audi out. (Applause.) Brigadier-General Richardson haß written to say that all tho men'should have leather waistcoats, which would mean 600 more at. least, and'2so more hussives were required: Mrs. Crawford had been most .energetic in keeping up the numbers, and 300(j hussives and liold-alls Ead been made,. and. an additional 250 .as well.

Men, she added, were urgently- required to pack, |fix, wire, i-.ail-up,: and stencil the cases —"a nice little job for the men," said the. Mayoress, with > smile. In conclusion, Mrs. Liike hoped that no one would leave the meeting without joining the league. Over 90 names'had already been sent in, and she hoped that many mere would join. A resolution was then put by Mr. Marryat: "That this meeting approves of tho formation of the Citizens' Service League, for freewill voluntary service on behalf of our soldiers and sailers."

Tho mover dwelt appreciatively on the fine organising powers of Mrs. Liike, and tho work her helpers, who were never weary of well-doing. The, men who are associated with Mrs. Luke could truthfully say they tad never had a rebuff from the public when asking for subscriptions or help, when Mrs. Luke has asked for either. Hβ was quite sure the DO names on tho list would soon grow to 900, andi that the new league would be a/very great success.

The resolution was • seconded ""by Mr. Carr, who also spoke of the good work that Mrs.--Luke''and her helpers wore doing. On one occasion Mrs. imke had asked for £2000, and had got more than she had solicited, and! what she asked for again would he collected even if it should be £10,000. The,.:resolution;.;was; earned;. ;unammously, aaid.'"an. "executive' was"' 1 then eleoted'; 'with th(s:Mayqt-fMr. J: I '-; P.■Luke) as president", Mrs'. Luke as vice-' president, Miss Clark treasurer, Mrs. Barltrop secretary, ■ and Messrs. Wilson and Marryat as trustees. Tho minimum subscription was fixedl at Is. per member to defray costs of postage, ■ ■ • ■