CHRISTMAS PUDDINGS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 278, 13 August 1918, Page 2

CHRISTMAS PUDDINGS

FOR NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS. The Wellington ladies do not intend to be caugnt napping this year with tho Christmas coiuiorcs lor the .boys at 'tie front. last Christmas most or Iho puddiugs sent l'rom Wellington reached tlie trenches in January, out owing to circumstances over wmcli somebody should nave better, control, some, of tiiein could not havo received tlieni until April, for tue last English mail brought letters from some ot tne soluiers than King tho ladiM, hero for Christinas gilts. Mrs. Luke (who is about once, more) says that, assuming those letters took hvo months to reach New Zealand, it would appear that some at least of tho New Zeaiand Expeditionary Forco did not receive tneir portion ,v until April. Acting on good advice, the committee are- taking time by the forelock, by sending tho lib. Christmas puddings (in hermetically sealed tins, with a metal opener attacned to each one) away this month. Already some of thoso have been dispatched, and there aro now some -10 cases awaiting shipment. Unless some' untoward ovent intervenes, there should bo no chance for any New Zealand soldier to go puddingless in France on Christmas Day next. In addition to the lib. puddings, tho Mayoress's. Committee has had special 4lb. puddings (prepared iu hermetically-sealed tins), CO each of which aro to be Eent to eaoli of the New Zealand military Hospitals—the four in England and two in France—so that no Maoriland soldier should bo without a reminder that there are loving hearts here who remember the sacrifices tho men are making "over there." Money for Christmas comforts—other than puddings—continues to come in steadily from all quarters, and there is ample reason for tho belief that, if our boys aro still facing the enomy at the year-end they will not be without those little comforts which help to make their lot morß endurable than it might otherwise be. Christmas in the trenches of Northern France is no joke, and no one knows it better than tho hard-working ladies who, day in and out, work at the Town Hall for the soldiers.