WIVES OF FIGHTING MEN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 71, 17 December 1917, Page 3

WIVES OF FIGHTING MEN

CLUBS FOR SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' WIVES INCEPTION BY THE W.N.R; For some little timo past, ever since August, to bo exact, some of the members of the Headquarters Executivo of the AYomen's National Reserve, have been busy with a scheme for inaugurating throughout the Dominion tile formation of clubs for the wives, widows, children, and dependants of sailors and soldiers. A special committee was elected by the Headquarters Executive in August, with full powers to do what was necessary to secure the desired results, the committee consisting of Mesdames Bethuno, Corliss, Hanan, M'Laren, and Porter: As a preliminary this committee called, a public meeting for August 13, at which the Hon. 6. W. Russell, who was present, brought forward the following motion, which was carried unanimously: "That this meeting heartily approves and endorses the action of the W.N.R. in initiating the movement to form clubs for the wives of soldiers and sailors, and will support it in every way." The Minister also announced that his Department would pay the rent of an office, to be known as the office of the Wives' Club, where thoy_ could meet the members of the committee, and as members of that club also meet each other regularly. From that time onward until Saturday last the wives, children, etc., have met regularly every week, but for want of accommodation the work could not be extended to meet the need which was felt existed. The special committee decided to ask the co-operation of all the other bodies, and a general committee was formed of representatives from a number of societies. From this a small administrative committee was chosen consisting of Mr. Joseph Lewis and Mr. M'lntosh, representing the Patriotic. Society; Mr. J._ M'lntyre, representing the N.Z. Natives' Association; Mr. J. Tt. Brownrigg, representing the St. John Ambulance: and Mr. D. M'Laren, Mr. H. Coleman, and the ladies of the special committee mentioned above. This committee worked hard to secure suitable premises, and at length the flat, known as £hc "Charley's Aunt" Club, opposite Stewart and Co.'s timber yard in Courtenay Place, was secured, the gentlemen of the Administrative Committee having generously offered to pay the rent for threo months. Had they not done so this venture would not have been made, as the W.N.R. has no money, important though it is as an organisation. A large welfare committee of ladies, representing the different districts of the W.N.R., was formed, and one of its first duties was to carry out all arrangements in connection with the Christmas party with which the club was formally opened on Saturday afternoon, and which introduced members to their new premises.

Thoro could bo no question as to the success of the party. Tho seating accommodation of the club was taxed to the utmost. Numbers of children were present, and after a musical programme had been given, they were taken to the room which is going to be turned later oij into a creche, where they had games and refreshments. The programme had been arranged by Mrs. M'Cartie, and contributing to it were several of Mrs. Menard's pupils, and other talent. The following took part:—Quartet (violin and piano), Miss Mizracki, Miss M'Laughlan, Miss Josephs, Miss Cornish (with Mrs. Cornish at the piano); songs, Ida Deer, Rita Howe, Miss Henderson; recitations, Miss Sylvia Mizracki, Miss Navok; sailor's hornpipe, Betty Menard; Irish jig, Molly Madden; trio (song), "English, Irish, and Scotch," Colin M'Dowall, Jack Madden, Laurence Searle; dialogue, "How Johnny Entertained the Sewing Society," Gwen Patrick, Ngnire Cooke, Melvie Drummond, Mollie Madden, Eileen Searle, Dorothy M'Dowall. The room had been beautifully decorated by Mr. Brownrigg, the treasurer of the club, with quantities of flags, draperies, and flowers, and upon entering every visitor was presented with a dainty buttonhole by the gentlemen of the committee, attaohed to each being a ribbon badge (on which was printed ■in blue lettering upon the white "N.Z. S. and S. Wives' Club, Wellington, Christmas, 1917"). These were much admired. The children also received gifts of nuts, sweets, fruit, etc One or two brief speeches were made earlier in the afternoon, Mr. D. M'Laren'outlining the inception of the club and the various stages which led to its now being an accomplished fact, with something more than "thin air" to live upon, since it had three months' rent at least guaranteed.

Dr. Platts-Mills (president of the W.N.R.) welcomed all present, and spoke of what it was hoped the club would accomplish. Mrs. ,T. Hanan added a few words, pointing out that the club, like the W.N.R. itself and all its activities, owed its existence to the large-hearted sympathy and organising powers of Mrs. Porter, the organising secretary of the W.N.R. Mrs. Hanan also said that they had felt the inauguration of the club as a very special call | to answer a great need. The work of the promoters generally was eulogised by Mrs. Hanan. It is intention of the W.N.R. to extend the movement of clubs for wires throughout the Dominion, so making it a national scheme if sufficient support is given by thoso who care to help our fighting men in a practical manner. The club gatherings (on Friday afternoons) are to go on without any break during January; after that they probably will bo hold two afternoons and one evening a week. Mothers who have business to attend to will feel the comfort of having- a suitable place in which they can leave their children, knowing they will he safe and cared for, and will themselves in addition bo able to enjoy the rest, the social intercourse, the help with their sewing, mending, etc., that will always be extended to them there. A national badge for wives is being manufactured and copyrighted, and early in February will be for sale. All the wives who have seen the design have expressed themselves as being delighted with it. Thero is no feo for admittance p.s members of the club. That matter will be left to the wives to do as they think fit when they become fully interested and are ready to take an active part in its management. Each branch of the W.N.R. will be specially responsible for keeping in touch with the dependants in its own district, and for becoming personally acquainted with each member, in this way making the work one of mutual intercourse and thoroughly helpful, the great common link being that of sympathy and fellowship in a cause with which all are at one. Among those present at Saturday's gathering wore: Mrs. W. 1). S. MacDonald, Mrs. Hanan, Colonel Porter, C.8., and Mrs. Porter, Mrs. J. 0. Andersen, and representatives of nearly all the branches of the_ W.N.R. An apology from Mrs. Corliss for hor absence owing to illness in her family was received.