CLOTHING THE OVERSEAS POOR.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 203, 1 October 1914, Page 4

CLOTHING THE OVERSEAS POOR.

A SPLENDID ACHIEVEMENT. WORK OF THE WOMEN'S COMMITTEE. The public of Canterbury have just shown what hard work and energy and enthusiasm may accomplish in the cause of philanthrophy when once the ball is set rolling. Just a few weeks ago a committee of women were set up to take in hand the matter of helping to clothe the poor of Great Britain, Ireland, >and Belgium, and since then the work of collecting and packing garments has gone on steadily, with the result that a remarkably splendid lot of clothing.is all ready, packed, and waiting for an opportunity to be sent" overseas. The committee have packed seventeen large cases at the. depot, and thirteen in Pyne and Co.'s warehouse, including clothing for all sizes and ages, ranging from the "new baby" to the grown men and women, and the aged of either sex. Mrs Pratt, the. secretary, says that working for this special object has been one of the finest things she has ever experienced. The splendid spirit of help and sacrifice and true charity which the •appeal, put forth in the name of suffering humanity, has aroused on all sides has been a grand thing to witness. "The way people are giving and helping, and behaving generally, is a sermon in itself," said Mrs Pratt; "indeed, it's the best one that could possibly be preached." When one looks round the two rooms which comprise the depot, and notes how they are crammed with piles of garments, extending from floor to ceiling, one is quite ready to agree with Mrs Pratt. There are secondhand things that are as good almost as new — strong, warm, serviceable garments, well able to withstand the rigours of an English, Irish, or Belgian winter, and there are garments made of new material purchased specially for the purpose. The making was all performed free of charge, and many of the makers sent back the children's garments with little presents in the 2>ockets. There was a pile of. neat navy blue dresses for little girls, arid" in the pretty; little patch pocket "of eaeh was a length of silk hair ribbon and a dainty bordered .'hand i kerchief. It is all such evidence of sweet thoughts and kindliness that One is inexpressibly touched to encounter it. It is just what Mrs Pratt says—'' a simply marvellous-response to our appeal." Piles of materials have been purchased, and all locally, so that our own people have benefited. "And then," as a member of the committee put it, "the people who have given us such quantities of clothes will.need to buy others to replace them, so that, taking everything into .consideration, we think we are doing the best for everyone, instead of sending what money we had Home direct, as some people thought we should have done." The depot is still.in full swing, and will be for some time. A meeting of the committee will be held on Monday, to make plans for future movements j and activities. "The only thing we want now," stated a committee member, "is a chance to send our collection Home. We do want it to come soon." S.I.R.