PATRIOTIC ACTIVITIES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 246, 14 September 1940, Page 8

PATRIOTIC ACTIVITIES.

WOMEN'S COMMITTEES,

An informal meeting of the heads of the various women’s patriotic committees was held at the patriotic shop to-day. Many useful articles in wide variety were displayed, and the packing of Christmas parcels for the overseas troops was carried out. The president of the Women’s Patriotic Committee (Mrs A. ,E. Mansford) pointed out that any men leaving the city for service with the forces were entitJed to come to the do pot and be supplied with a liussif, balaclava, scarf, mittens, etc. Mrs K. S. Manning (convener of the wool and hussifs branch) displayed some beautifully knitted socks and mittens and said that she had a number of excellent knitters on licr committee. The workers were very conscientious and came lor one or two hours every day to the depot where a pleasant atmosphere prevailed. '1 hirteen quilts sent by the schools had been handed over to the Lady Galway Guild. A number of children in the country had sent in peggy squares and the Convent School had provided silk for lining. An interesting quilt from the Russell Street School, which was bound down the middle, thus separating the rows of squares and making them firmer, was shown. Four hot-water bottle covers had also been sent to the Lady Galway Guild. One single and three double quilts were in course of preparation, and there was a box of peggy squares to be made up. Mrs Manning said she had plenty of wool for knitters, especially navy blue for mittens for men in the Navy, and,more knitters could bo supplied, Mrs S. 0. "Northey (convener) and Mrs L. Wood (minute secretary) of the parcels branch said that three cases of Christmas parcels had been sent away and three _more cases were packed. Everything was opened and repacked under the supervision of these two ladies so that they could personally vouch for every parcel. To date 426 ordinary parcels had been sent away and there was a quota of 470 Christmas, parcels to be filled. Of these' 128 had been forwarded and 273 were packed. Each Christmas parcel contained a cake, tin of tobacco or cigarettes, handkerchief, lib New Zealand fruit, cake of chocolate, glucose barley sugar, and lib tin of home-made biscuits. In Wellington the parcels would be repacked in boxes of 10, with a lUlb. Christmas pudding in each box. Morning and afternoon for the past throe weeks the committee members had been packing, but, as space was limited, they could work only in teams of three. Mrs Northey said she had a wonderful hand of enthusiastic workers and, although packing was strenuous work, they were all harmonious and happy. Gratitude was due to the Technical School students, who, under the supervision of Mrs H. M. Scott, wore voluntarily helping by soldering the 470 tins. Mrs G. C. Petersen (deputy chairman) said that the Lady Galway Patriotic Guild had now been operating in Palmerston North under the active superintendence of the Mayoress for five weeks. A very keen body of ladies had pushed on the work of the guild at full capacity and its activities had been carried on .with the greatest goodwill and interest. Eight cases of clothing have alrcady been forwarded to headquarters and a ninth is ready for dispatch. Over 1400 articles of clothing have been prepared and, in view of the approaching winter in Europe, particular attention is being given to warmer clothing. The guild's rooms in Kingswav Buildings, King Street, are open daily from Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. till noon, and from 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m., and also for business girls on Monday evening from 7 to 9.30 o’clock. The guild appreciated the generous support it was receiving from the public, said Mrs Petersen, and anyone wishing to help in this important work would he welcomed at the rooms.

The patriotic shop continues to work smoothly and the members of the Townswomen’s Guild, who have been in charge this week, expect to break all previous records.