SOCKS FOR THE SOLDIERS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 77, 3 April 1915, Page 7

SOCKS FOR THE SOLDIERS.

Letters from Her Majesty the Queen ami Her Excellency tho Countess of Liverpool. Buckingham Palace, London, January ‘22, 1915. Dear Lady Liverpool,— I have re'eeived with feelings of great satisfaction the generous gifts of socks and belts which you have so kindly sent mo from the people of Now Zealand, whom I remember so well on tho occasion of our memorable visit there in 1901. 1 heartily appreciate the ready response which has been made to my appeal by all classes of the community throughout the Dominion, and 1 am deeply touched to hear that contributions have even been received from schools far away in the bnckblocks. I would like to suggest that ally further sunplies you may receive should he utilised for the benefit of the New Zealand

Fxpeditionary Force, which is sure to be in need of such comforts. .May I take this opportunity of expressing to you my sincere gratitude for your very

kind and valuable assistance.—Believe me, yours very sincerely, (Signed): MARY R.

Government House, Wellington 30th March, 1915

To the Women of New Zealand, — As; a considerable time has now elapsed since the New Zealand troops landed in Egypt, I think we should soon endeavour to provide them with some extra comforts, and 1 propose therefore to try and send each man of the Expeditionary Force two (2) pairs of socks, and to despatch them in .lime, in order to allow time for people to work for this object.

His Excellency has suggested that when the gifts are despatched ho should telegraph to the Officer Commanding the Force, instructing him to take steps to see that the gills are properly distributed, and also to send a reply saying how the contributions have been dealt with, so that I can advise all the Committees. I should be glad if those committees, or anybody else who desires to assist me in this suggestion, would either send their contributions to me direct to Government House, Wellington, or to any of the centres which they have up to now boon work, ing with for subsequent transmission to mo.

1 should further be glad to hoar from those people who intend sending their contributions to mo before the gifts are actually despatched to Government House, Wellintgon, in order that I may send a special l•» 1 *«»1 to identify them.

. Should anybody desire to send other gifts of clothing, 1 will endeavour to have them despatched at the same time.

While desiring to encourage local efforts by assisting committees and individuals to assist in providing socks for the men of their own localities, I wish to make it clear that should there not be sufficient socks available by next June to provide for every member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force at present in Egypt, the deficiency will be made good by the purchase of the requisite number with money taken from the general fund.

(Signed): ANNETTE LIVERPOOL