HELPING THE NEEDY.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20624, 13 August 1932, Page 14

HELPING THE NEEDY.

WORK IN CHBISTCHURCH.

/ COMMENDATION BY LORD

BLEDISLOE.

The Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, expressed his hearty appreciation, last evening, of the work done in Christchureh for the needy and distressed, and commended it to all section* of the community. With Lady Bledisloe and party he attended a reception at the Jellicoe Hall, of the Women . Auxiliary branch of the St. John Ambulance Association, and, during the evening expressed Ms hope of assisting the cause in material form. . The Mayor (Mr P. G. Sullivan, M.P.) said that their Excellencies were doing their best to relieve distress in the City. The Women's Auxiliary of the St. John Ambulance Association was also working hard in that direction, having organised a band of women which had set itself out to make clothes. Although their Excellencies had had a very busy week, they bad most graciously consented to attend for the purpose of showing their sympathy. Mrs William Macbin, president of the St. John Women's Auxiliary, thanked Lord and Lady Bledisloe for their patronage and said that she could not speak too highly of the work of the auxiliary in its provision of S*™e at *> footwear, and fuel for the distressed. The interest shown by their fcxceUeacies would ba a stimulus to those working in a most worthy cause. Mr George Harper (chairman of the Citizens* Relief Association) said that the association had had to assist many thousands of families in the way of food and clothing. The Women's Auxiliary of the 6t- John Ambulance Association had helped the work very considerably. Belief of Distress. ' His Excellency said that every item in the programme arranged for his stay in Christchurch had been a genuine delight, On the eve of his departure he would again like to thank the people of Christchurch for their warm welcome. The secret of the success of the public-spirited effort in relieving economic stress was found in' the sinking of all differences and the joining of all forces to fulfil the common need. "I am amaeed and overjoyed at the way in which the people of tbie City and province have stood shoulder to shoulder in their efforts," said his Excellency. "I take this opportunity of congratulating the Mayor on his lead and on his encouragement to all to take their share of the burden. There now seems to bo a break in the clouds of distress, and the body politic is on the upward trend from transitional adversity. You are your work by cooperation and avoiding competitive overlapping. The younger people should learn the lesson of maintaining mental and physical efficiency and acquiring a strong spirit of confidence in the future."