GIRLS- FRIENDLY SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2697, 17 February 1916, Page 3

GIRLS- FRIENDLY SOCIETY

THE PARIS BRANCH.

At a branch meeting of the Girls' Friendly Society held recently in Paris, and presided over by the Countess Granville, several interesting things about the society were read from the various roports of the associates (states iho Paris correspondent of the "Queen"). One was tiiat the subscriptions from residents in Paris have been reduced by 16,()00fi\, owing to the war. Another was that tho society lias now made arrangements with the Freuch Consul in London for its members to have facilities for coming to Paris for authentic work if they arc provided with a letter from the president of the society. It was also made clear to everyone present at the meeting how necessary this society is to English girls coming to work in France. Perhaps the best proof ofvthis is that all through the war it has kept its lotlse open, and tne work of the registry has scarcely stopped at all. In spite of danger, official difficulties, high prices, uud a very much diminished income, tho house has gone on quietly and steadily, offering wholesome meals atlow prices to the working members, succuring girls in trouble and illness, meeting belated travellers from all parts of the world, and doing a little for soldiers and refugees as well. As an instance of the members' keenness to help outside their own society, they hold it sewing meeting once a week, to which tvorking members come to work for tho soldiers; thoy make bed-jackets, and are continually sending off parcels to tho various hospitals where these garments r.re most needed. They are also inviting at their own expense thirty or forty English soldiers to tea during the Christmas holidays, and will arrango tor them to'hayo music afterwards. Be sides these proofs of interest in tho war, in talking with both members and associates you get an impression of very sturdy patriotism in tho courageous way in which all the most hardivorking women of the community tell i'ou that "AVe must go on to the end, finish the war by victory only, no matter what the sacrifice." And it mustDa remembered that few people aro suffering more from this war than the class of working women which belongs to the Grilo' Friendly Society. Teachers of English, secretaries, nurses, companions, make up most of its members. Very fow of such women are placed in Paris now, ami those who aro rttill so engaged aro obliged to work for much less money than before the war.. Many of them have men of their families fighting—some in tho Navy, somo in tho Army, some as private soldiers, some as officers of long and tried experience, and others quite,new to their responsibilities; for the members of this society, as well as the associates aro drawn from many different classes, and that is why the understanding heart and the humorous intelligence of tho women of tho world are , supremely necessary for those who liavo to make the wheels go round in tho Paris lodge.