FRIENDSHIP IN EMPIRE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28832, 28 February 1959, Page 2

FRIENDSHIP IN EMPIRE

Plea To Young Contingent

A plea to members of the Young Contingent of the Victoria League to invite overseas visitors to their homes to encourage

greater understanding and tolerance, is made by the president (Mr D. R. J. Fahey) in his annual report. “In particular, I would ask you to carry on and enlarge upon the associations made with Colombo Plan students,” he said. Some of these students had attended the contingent’s Sunday morning “at homes” and had been invited to private homes by several members. This was the type of relationship which should be maintained, he said. The committee endeavoured to present a programme which would afford members the opportunity of meeting overseas visitor* and it was the primary object of the organisation to foster good relationships between the peoples of the Commonwealth and the peoples of every Ration, he said. Companionship > ■By attending functions organised by the committee, members could contribute much to the organisation’s aims by giving overseas visitors the companionship and contacts they needed. During the year there had been a marked increase in membership, which now stands at 350. Many new members are from Commonwealth countries now residing in New Zealand or visiting the Dominion for a short time.

The purpose of the Sunday morning “at homes,” instituted this year, had been to give overseas persons in Christchurch and local members the opportunity of meeting in the less formal and more friendly atmosphere of a private home. The president of the Canterbury branch of the Victoria League (Mrs Redmond Neill) had generously lent her home for these meetings. At the first of these receptions at least 60 persons attended and among them were representatives from almost every Commonwealth country, Mr Fahey said. The Young Contingent has sponsored five children, two in England, two in Austria and one in France. Members sent Christmas parcels to these children through Geneva headquarters. Members also supplied produce for a stall and manned collecting points for the Korean Rice Bowl Appeal.

Donations were made to the Sheltered Workshop Scheme and the Nurse Maude District Nursing Association (£3 each), the Elizabeth House Board (£2O), and to the Victoria League, London (£2O).