NEXT-OF-KIN CLUB

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 32, 8 February 1943, Page 5

NEXT-OF-KIN CLUB

WAR PRISONERS NEW FRIENDSHIPS MADE The usual pleasant atmosphere of meeting and making new friends and exchanging news of relatives in nrison camps, characterised the layering of the Stalag XVIIIA Next-of-Kin Club in the Victoria League rooms Mrs. A. M. Ferguson, of the Prisoner of War Office, opened the meeting, and Mr. A. S. Richards, M P for Roskill, spoke a few words. It was found that letters had been scarce during the last two months, but some air mail letters had been received. One letter from the wellknown footballer, Mr. Swin Hadley, which was shown to the gathering by his wife, aroused interest, though there was a disappointment in the fact that some photographs which had been enclosed had been taken out, owing to air mail weight restrictions. One of the interesting incidents which often occur at these gatherings of former strangers concerned a mother whose son had mentioned the name of another boy with whom he was friendly, and added, "Wouldn't it be nice if you could meet his mother some time." The meeting unexpectedly took place at this gathering. All the women wear tickets indicating their names, so that a feeling of ease is established right away. The club membership has now grown to about 50, all relatives of prisoners of war being welcome at the gatherings which take place every two months. The next will be on April 7. Groups of members take turns to provide afternoon tea. An added gesture has been made by Mrs. L. Churton, who founded the club, and welcomes any woman who may care to come to her home at 28, Long Drive, St. Helier's, on Saturday afternoons, for a friendly exchange of news.