Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1917 COMFORTS FOR THE FRONT

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1917 COMFORTS FOR THE FRONT

Ax the pleasant patriotic gathering at the Town Hall on Wednesday night some interesting particulars were given in respect to the advantages in forwarding comforts for the front through the Overseas Club. The Overseas Club is doing a great work all over the Empire in raising war funds, and the latest figures show that the total raised has been £361,866. Of this sum £183,351 was raised for the tobacco fund and and £5,695 for the hamper fund — the latter being a recent branch cf Overseas activities. With five million of an army it was pointed out that even £183,351 was a very inadequate amount for tobacco, and tho people were urged to continue their support in this matter. In September 1915, the British Army Council appointed Sir Edward Ward as Direc-tor-General of Voluntary Organisations, and his department is charged with the work of keeping the British Army provided with gifts. It is through the organisation of this department the greater part of the gifts subscribed through the Overseas Club Tobacco Fund are being distributed. Sir Edward Ward has tributed the work of the Overseas Club, which hai been to the forefroat since the outbreak of the war in providing gifts for the soldiers and sailors at the front. Now that there is a growing scarcity of shipping the value of the Overseas organisation in getting supplies to the front will be appreciated by all who have friends on active service. The postal deliveries often prove very unsatisfactory, and with the increasing dearth of shipping transport this will continue, A» ‘he Overseas are in touch with the Army Service there is a quick rod direct means for the

despatch of the gifts straight to the front, For gifts sent from England to Franca through the Overseas there are no postal charges,and only a slight postal charge from England to Egypt. By arranges with the big stores in London the Overseas hss been able to provide quite a cboioe in hampers of gifts for the front. Thesa range in all values, and the varieties are excellent and will provide a pleasant change from the army rations. Particulars of the contents of the different hampers ere posted at the local branch of the Oversees, which is working actively with the headquarters, Upwards of £7OO have been sent from this district through the Overseas for comforts for the men, The individual service is now possible so that relatives may send parcels direct to their friends by depositing the amount with the local club, ana supplying the full address of the soldier. This organisation eaves both waste and loss, as well as valuable time in transit, and is fally appreciated by the men at tbe front wbo are deriving the real benefit.