NEW DEDICATION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20032, 2 September 1939, Page 2

NEW DEDICATION

WORK FOR THE EMPIRE ? FREEDOM—TRUTH— PEACE .VICTORIA LEAGUE REPORT PRESIDENT’S RE-ELECTION ■;i thank you all, and hope that in the coming year we may together achieve something Jar beyond, past efforts in the service. of the Britisn Eifipire, which, as we all realise, stands for freedom, truth, peace and goodwill. Let us all dedicate ourselves— collectively and individually—to upholding those principles, and pray God that they may not perish from the earth," states t'he president of the Poverty Bay branch of the Victoria League, Miss A. L. Rees, in acknowledging through the medium of! the annual, report her re-election unopposed for the thirteenth consecutive term. The report, which is to be submitted to the annual meeting on Monday covers a wide field of league activity, both local and general, and chief importance is‘-laid by the president on the conference of women s organisations held in Wellington, at which the Poverty Bay Victoria League was represented by its president and Mrs. T. Y. Cuthbert. The four most important points discussed at the conference were closer unity among the branches and a. common basis for by-laws; the duties and privileges of Empire societies; women’s part in the centennial celebrations; - and' the vital importance of a larger population for the • Dominion!- On the latter point, the conference sent a deputation to members of the Cabinet, urging them to encourage new settlers, especially Birtish men and women. ,The report records the loss by death of valued members of the Poverty Lay branch in Mesdames B. J. Holdsw.orth, T. Todd, and E. C. Fairlie, and Miss E. Brlham. . 'Membership and Scope Life- members in the' -branch now number 25, as against 22 last year,. Ordinary membership still stands _at 219, new .admissions numbering 45 just balancing the losses. Monthly meetings- had grown in interest as a result of an improvement in attendances, and had lonE outgrown the accommodation of private drawing-rooms.

The present happy arrangement, the report stated, combined conductor business with social contacts and educational facilities.

A result of the large membership was the movement for individual hostesses to give small parties for visitors to the district and for newlyelected members. Mrs. Cotterill had given a lead in this movement, and Mrs. T. Y. Cuthbcrt’s hospitality had been called on many times, while Mrs J. C. N. Thomas and the Misses Tucker also had co-operated.

Interesting travel addresses had been, enjoyed on a number of occa'sions, a Travel Club being a sideline developed by the league. Miss Jean Leadtoetter, a widely-travelled young Scotswoman, had given a lantern lecture illustrating her journeyings in India; and Dr. W. A. Bowie, Mr. G. W. Humphreys, Mrs. B. Ilacche, and Miss Clare Foster had described from personal experiences the loveliness of the Homeland, the warmth of English hospitality, to Dominion people, and the strength and kindliness of the British character. Mrs. H. D. Humphreys had shared with the league members her experiences in Switzerland, while most -interesting addresses were given also by Mrs. 11. 11. Do Costa and Miss A. M. Reynolds, the latter of Boston University. Mrs. E. R. Black showed a sadder picture of the effects of non-enforcement of liquor laws, in the branch’s own community, and as a result the league had joined other societies in urging the Government .to take action. Representation in London Co-operation with other societies was dealt with in the report, which cited the participation of the New Zealand- league with other Empire branches- in. the annual tribute of a wreath on the Victoria Monument at Buckingham Palace, the privilege of which tribute is restricted to the league. Mrs. A. E. Gibson had represented Poverty Bay at the London conference two months ago, and her report was similar to that of Mrs. G. W.'Humphreys, who was the Poverty Bay representative in 1928.

Local associations to which the league sent delegates this year included the St. John Ambulance, and the newly-formed Women’s Representative Committee.

Donations to various good causes had been, made as usual, out of the

slender subscription income, headquarters receiving £7 11s Cd as a first call, and other causes an aggregate of £2l 7s 6(1, the beneficiary funds including those for warorphaned children, the Makogal lepers, and the Sir Trilby King Memorial. Distributions of books and magazines, and the keeping of various anniversaries of importance in the History of New Zealand, such as the Cool: Landing anniversary, Armistice Day, Anzac Day, and Empire Day, on which date the league joined witli other societies in entertaining old settlers in Poverty Bay, are also touched upon in the report. The distribution of Christmas parcels, under Mrs. Trowcll’s superintendence, was the subject of special reference, as also was the indebtedness of the branch v rv a number of local organisations and residents, including its honorary officers. Ending on a personal note, the report expresses the president’s thanks to her colleagues on the executive, and to the general membership for the compliment paid to her by the presentation of a life-membership badge, and the kindly feeling shown towards her in countless ways. Subsidiary reports refer to the Christmas distribution at’ toys, and the book and magazine club, these being presented toy Mrs. E. Trowell and Mrs. G. B. Thompson, the respective conveners of the sub-committccs.