FOOD PARCELS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25390, 13 January 1948, Page 2

FOOD PARCELS

DISTRIBUTION MADE IN KENSINGTON Any doubts that might be held whether New Zealand food parcels are distributed to people who really need them were dispelled on January 7, when Mr W. J. Jordan (New Zealand High Commissioner) handed a number of parcels to elderly people of the Royal Borough of Kensington. London. They were part of a consignment of 121 cases from Tolaga Bay and Waihoku. They had been sent on to the borough by the Ministry of Food’s overseas gifts centre, and made up into 2500 parcels by the Women’s Voluntary Service. A “handing over” ceremony was held at a local cinema. On the stage were 20 elderly persons, many of them old-age pensioners. They and Mr Jordan were introduced by Major J. H. Huxley, who extolled the generosity of New Zealanders. Before handing over the parcels, Mr Jordan emphasised that these gifts were a token of New Zealanders’ thanks for the way the people of Britain had entertained New Zealand servicemen during the war, and of their admiration of the manner in which the British people had faced, and were still meeting, their many difficulties. The first person to receive a parcel was Mrs Anderson, aged 92. a diminutive woman, who was unable to hold the parcel herself, but had to have a friend carry it for her. “Thank you very much, and God bless you,” she said to Mr Jordan. Several other recipients were elderly women who had been bombed out during the war. One of them had been blinded. Others who were to receive parcels were. too ill to be present. Friends collected them from Mr Jordan. After the distribution, three cheers were given for New Zealand. The officer in charge of overseas gifts said that welfare organisations helped in making sure that parcels were given to those who needed them most. “You may have no fear that they go to officials.” he said.