HUSSIF-MAKERS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 225, 20 June 1944, Page 3

HUSSIF-MAKERS

Mrs. Appleton Thanks Patriotic Workers

Payin"' her first official visit as chairman of the Wellington Women’s Patriotic Committee, the mayoress.of Wellington. Mrs. Appleton. was present at a special reception and morning tea yesterday, given by a group of hussif-makers in the Star Boating Club patriotic depot workroom. Mrs. Appleton, who is visiting various groups of workers to thunk them for the tremendous amount of patriotic sewing, knitting and hussif-manufac-turing they have handled since the war started, aud who has been a diligent worker herself in an allied group providing other comforts, predicted . an_ even heavier increase in their activities to meet coming rehabilitation needs. It would be five years m September since she attended the patriotic committee’s first meeting, said Mrs. Appleton. There were trying times at first, working out patterns and planning distribution for hussifs. scarves, socks and balaclavas. The fact that her own four sons were in the forces served as a personal incentive. She worked twice a week and regretted that now that official duties claimed her time she would not be packing parcels or nailing cases. She thanked the group of 20 hussif-makers (who work the Monday shift) and their convener, Mrs. W. H.’ Gledhill. paying special tribute to the button sewers and to Mrs. E. G. 1 ollmgton for her helpful supervision. Commenting on the practical ana welcome part played by the hussif. Mrs. Appleton said that servicemen were grateful for them and they were just what they needed when they had to do their own patching and sewing. When the men on coastal defence called for an enormous quota of winter mittens, the workers responded splendidly to what Mrs. Appleton said had been a dreary job. “There will be other calls on your sewing time. Rehabilitation is going, to be a big thing and a great deal of sewing will be needed for servicemen’s children, she concluded, promising that she would do her best as mayoress in assisting this new aspect of the work. Mrs. Gledhill assured her that the workers would give every help. Though she insisted that they should not attend on wet days—they were nearly all grandmothers or great-aunts—they had never missed because of the weather. There was a great deal attached to hussifmaking and supplying the small things needed. “The work must go on, because we are working for the war and for our boys.” observed Mrs. Gledhill. emphasizing that the helpers’ hearts were in their work for they all had someone fighting overseas. „ A special welcome was accorded Miss 11. Archibald, the first worker to join Mrs. Gledhill’s group in 1939, and through whose efforts the. other members from the Levin Memorial Home and the ot. Andrew’s ladies’ auxiliary were enlisted. Mrs. Hill, who also spoke on behalf of the workers, endorsed Mrs. Gledhill s remarks and praised her leadership. Since the hussif-making began, 28,000 buttons had been sewn on and the work had been done willingly and gladly. Before morning tea was served members demonstrated how the component parts of a hussif are asembled. . Other hussif work teams winch meet later in the week include Mrs. L. O. H. Tripp’s group and the Ngaio patriotic group and Townswomen’s Guild.