Gratitude of English Women – Hard Life

Lake County Mail, Issue 28, 3 December 1947, Page 5

Gratitude of English Women - Hard Life

An indication of the difference between Iffe in this country and in England is given in a letter received by the Arrowtown branch of the W.D.F.F., members of which regularly despatch food parcels overseas, from a correspondent in the Homeland. The correspondent is Mrs Hellen E. Fisher, and she writes: “It is certainly a far cry from Gray’s Inn road, London, with all its bustle of cars, lorries, buses and trollies, to the peaceful rugged beauty of the mountains around Arrowtown. Here we are hemmed in by streets and streets of dust and grime of life moving at high speed and often of stirring events. “ But there you are surrounded by space and of mountain heights, with days of calm even tenor, and your most common sounds the lowing of the cattle being driven in for milking or the barking of dogs as they round up the sheep. The air is clean and sweet, and the eye soothed by the picture of an abundance of green grass and shady trees. “ But whether one is in the midst of a city or far away in the quiet spots of the earth human hearts are the same in their understanding of kindness and their sympathy. So, from this office in Gray’s Inn road come many expressions of thanks for the thoughtfulness of the ladies of the Arrowtown W.D.F.F. in sending a parcel of soap to be distributed among them. With your unrationed supplies of this commodity you can hardly comprehend what oven one cake extra can mean in a household in Britain to-day. “ I have heard stories of people having to wash with shaving soap of some who have not used toilet soap for months but have had to be content with the coarse kitchen variety as their allowance did not permit further than the absolute necessity of everyday use. “ Out yonder your homes and farms have seen nothing of the actual disturbances of war. The outlook is as serene and unscarred as it has been for years. But here, in Gray’s Inn road, there are all around us the unholy signs of devastation and destruction. Scenes of Devastation “ Huge blocks are a mass of fallen bricks and rubble, their untidy interiors victim of coarse weeds and rubbish. There are walls standing with empty, gaping windows, and the remains of fireplaces staring with ghastly blankness at the uninhabitable portions. Many shops and offices are in use, but badly damaged, roofs leak pitifully when it rains, and the cold winds drive through. “ But with it all the Londoners’ hearts are still stout and strong, though their bodies crave a fuller diet. Most of all, they are cheered to know that far across the sea are men and women of their own kith and kin who think of them often and find ways and means to lighten the heavy burden that has come to Britain to-day. We know that you out there are grateful for the protection Britain gave you from war devastation, and now give of what you have in abundance towards winning the long, long peace we all look forward so much to see. These little gifts from generous hearts will go far to strengthening the‘ties of fellowship and kinship between all of us of this good old British stock.” Signatories to the letter, which concludes with best wishes for the prosperity of the district are: Hellen E. Fisher, Jean Marsden, Carmel Johnston, E. D. Ayling, C. N. Whita, K. JBirah, M. Allen and M. TaarhtfW#.