YEAR’S ACHIEVEMENT

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 264, 4 August 1944, Page 7

YEAR’S ACHIEVEMENT

R.S.A. Women’s Section Meeting “Perhaps because of this •war, women seem to be realizing more aud more that unity of effort, intelligent use of free will and co-operation with each other aud their men, are essential for good results,” said Lady Newall, at the second annual meeting of the women’s section, Wellington IL'S.A., yesterday afternoon. "In an organization such as the R.'S.A., unfettered' by creed, colour, party or station, there is. untold opportunity for citizenship in its best sense,” In congratulating the president, Mrs. 0. H. Weston, and all branches of the women’s section on the year’s work, LadyNewall said that his Excellency and she were keenly aware of the splendid work being done bi- them for soldiers, sailors and airmen’s families. •

Almost every New Zealander who went to Louden entered the New Zealand Club at some time or other, she said, in describing some of the very large number of service chibs which men from the Dominion had found most helpful. Among other clubs were _ mentioned tile Overseas League, the Victoria League’s clubs, the Empire League, and the Churchill Club. “Our friends of the Salvation Army, the Y.M.0.A., the Church Army and the Union Jack Club are others extending hospitality to your boys." Lady Newall spoke of the work’among war wounded being done by the New' Tftalander, Sir Harold Gillies, in the realm of plastic surgery, and of Sir lan Eraser’s heartening help to the’ war blinded.

Those present included Lady Lake, patroness, and the mayoress, Mrs. Appleton, a new vice-president./. Airs. P. Fraser, wife of the Prime Minister and president of Northland branch, was unable to be present. The meeting stood in silence as a mark of respect, to the late Mrs. A, S. Mitchell, whose death occurred this week. Mrs. Weston said the work carried its own urgent appeal. Throughout the year it had ben carried on faithfully and with interest’ and care, as the annual report showed. Wives and mothers of servicemen whose names were in casualty list's, were visited, as were servicemen's wives, when in maternity hospitals. At Christmas time holidays were arranged for some wives and children. _ The need to aid young mothers by providing clothing continued, and as the convener of the welfare work, Mrs. G. Miller, said it would be wrong if false sentiment wer» allowed to retard’ this good work. Why should it be looked! on as a charity gift? One could not purchase clothing for a growing family, and it. was definitely, a war-time condition, not a financial one. There was special need for supplies of baby clothes. Besides gatherings arranged for the next-of-kin of war prisoners,' helping the R.B.A. by preparing suppers at its various gatherings, making roses for Rose Day, and helping with street ajipeals. the women’s section raised £1855 tliis year for the furnishing fund of the Wellington RJS.A. Colonel Cowles, originator of the scheme for a women’s section, said, tiie work had been marvellously carried out. It had borne good fruit, but in the days after the war the women would find an even more difficult job in helping the men to readjust themselves. Letters were read from the president and secretary of the Wellington R.S.A. thanking the women’s section for its assistance and co-operation, Tlib meeting was held in the newly decorated hall in the R.S.A. rotns. Lovely spring flowers decorated the stage, and her Excellency was presented with a floral shoulder spray.