NEW ZEALAND’S GIFT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 May 1941, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND’S GIFT

CLOTHES FOR BOMBED-OUT FAMILIES.

OVER 1000 GARMENTS DELIVERED

The following appeared in the “Ayr Advertiser,” of February 13, 1941:—

Bombed-out families, if they are evacuated to Ayrshire, need have no fear that they will suffer from want of clothing—thanks to the generosity of the people of New Zealand. At the weekend a large consignment of all kinds of clothing from New Zealand reached Mrs J. R. Lockie, county organiser of the W.V.S., wife of the county clerk of Ayr. The clothing was sent by the Lady Galway Guild, which is headed by the wife of the Governor-General, to the New Zealand High Commissioner in London (Mr Jordan), who in turn sent it on to Ayrshire. The total gift comprises five large cases of goods, but so far these have not all arrived. When an “Advertiser” reporter visited the W.V.S. headquarters at the weekend he found Mrs Lockie and assistants hard at work sorting out the clothes in an atmosphere permeated with the odour of naphthalene, which had been sprinkled through the clothing to prevent it falling victim to moths during the long journey. ’. The ladies were enthusiastic over their task of sorting out the various garments, which number over 1000. The organisation has already handled a. consignment of clothing from America, but this is the first contribution from “down under." MOSTLY HAND-KNITTED. Most of the garments are hand-knit-ted, and are absolutely new. They are spotlessly clean and ready for instant use. There are over four dozen pairs of children's shoes, which have never been worn. A great deal of thought has obviously been expended in the selection of the articles. There is, as would be expected, a large quota of children's garments. These range from hand-knitted babies’ layettes to woollen underwear and pinafores. One suit of babywear had attached to it a note which stated—“ Hoping the mother gets as much pleasure out of receiving this as I did in making it." There is also a fine range in jumpers (including a Fairisle one. which probably originated from Scotland and made a return journey), as well ns garments which will go to clothe children of all ages. There are some -vely tweed skirts for women, and male garments range from, tiny boys' rousers to men’s suits. “We could rig out children from the ’font stage up to the age of 14 or 15," said Mrs Lockie, who, by the way, has ■•e a considerable amount of entertaining of New Zealand troops .visitin Ayr. “Everything has been though if.” she added, as she showed the “Advertiser’’ reporter a pram cover with woolly rabbits worked into the pattern. Cot blankets are among some of the other useful gifts sent. More than anything, however, Ayrshire people will appreciate the spirit which lies behind these gifts. It shows whal a fine effort can be made voluntarily by one member of a free Com monwealth of Nations to assist ;■ .

other which has fallen on difflcu times.