PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27443, 1 September 1954, Page 2

PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST

CHILDREN’S FUND TO BENEFIT

The lounge at the D.1.C., Christchurch, presents a particularly attractive appearance at present, as photographs of 450 children, all bonny and winsome, are displayed on the walls. The photographs have been assembled by the Young Contingent of the Victoria League, which has organised a photographic competition in aid of the “Save the Children” Fund.

Yesterday, the display was officially opened by the Deputy-Mayor (Cr. George Manning). On behalf of the Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane, M.P.), the City Council, and citizens, Cr. Manning expressed appreciation of the Young Contingent's practical sympathy with destitute and homeless children. He commended such a spirit of altruism, friendship, and service, and wished the promoters great success in their undertaking. Mr Stuart Nicholls, vice-president of the Young Contingent, briefly outlined the work done by the members for displaced children. The contingent, he said, sponsored five children at an outlay of £lO a year. In addition, it sent to each child three parcels each worth £lO, as well as birthday and Christmas gifts.

The members had been able to help 82 orphaned children living in deplorable conditions in an Army hut in Austria, said Mr Nicholls. Members had given a donation which enabled blankets and warm clothing to be provided within a week or two for homeless children in Italy, and had sent a donation for the relief of sufferers from earthquakes in the lonian Islands. He appealed earnestly for support for the contingent’s competition, which will be open until September 10. Operations of Fund Miss Mavis Anstiss, of Christchurch, who sponsors a child under the “Save the Children” Fund, and who recently visited Europe and England, described how the fund operates. At the fund’s headquarters in Geneva, she said, she saw files of applications* hundreds of them., piteously for sponsorships, 9 hut there were not enough sponsorships forthcoming. No money was spent on salaries for officials to choose the children for sponsorship. Children were recommended by welfare workers, doctors, nurses, or clergy Miss Anstiss said she had visited th* child she herself sponsors—ran intelli gent 14-year-old boy, with a good brain but a pitiably afflicted body on whicl 24 operations had been performed. Hf could not walk. He had been carer for since babyhood by a foster-mother This woman was very poor, and livec in a cheap room three storeys above the street. She carried the boy up and down the stairs.

Miss Anstiss said she had visited many other children sponsored by friends in Christchurch. Some lived in damp cellars in Italy, and othefs in wretched conditions in Austria and Germany. Miss Anstiss said she was convinced that the need to help children in Europe and also some in England was as great today as it had been during the Second World War. Miss M. G. Hav6laar (president of the Christchurch committee of the “Save the Children” Fund) described some deplorable cases of hardship in European countries, and appealed to mothers to support the exhibition and so bring great happiness to many less fortunate mothers.

Mrs J. Mowbray Tripp (president of the Victoria League) said, she was proud of the fine welfare work done by the Young Contingent She thanked the D.1.C., its manager (Mr E. F. Ward), and his staff for their continued interest in worth-while efforts and for their unfailing kindness. Mr Ward later acknowledged the remarks’ made about his firm and his staff, and said they were pleased to help welfare organisations. Members of the public who were present immediately began recording their votes in the different sections of the competition.