CLUB IN LONDON

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 34, 9 February 1940, Page 11

CLUB IN LONDON

HOSPITALITY FOR TROOPS

SUPPORT REQUIRED

A scheme for extending hospitality to troops from overseas which was now being developed in London was outlined by Mrs. J. A. Doctor, president of the Wellington branch of the! Victoria League, at a general meeting held last night to make plans for patriotic service. This scheme, said Mrs. Doctor, required everyone's earnest support, and Miss J. Barr, secretary, read a letter from Miss Drayton, of the headquarters executive; asking all branches of the league throughout the Empire to help the project. Fine premises had been acquired in the University of London building, ] and a club for .400 non-commissioned officers and men had been started. The organisation was called the King George and Queen Mary Club, and here overseas soldier: could be sure of receiving hospitality and friendship. The club charged a* nominal fee of 2s 6d for bed and breakfast, and other meals, served by a voluntary staff, were reasonably priced and very palatable. Thei'e were other facilities, such as a luggage room and deposit for valuables. Miss Violet Russell was the New Zealand representative on this! organising body. . i A branch committee planned to open a sister club in Edinburgh early in the year, and had used the whole of its capital fund to pi-ovide adequate equipment. The Victoria League in London extended a warm welcome and personal hospitality to every man or woman going overseas for war service, the letter said, and it urged all branches to make these clubs their special care and do all in their power to help maintain them. OTHER WAR WORK. It was also stated at the meeting that members could do further war work by providing all kinds of comforts for soldiers. A welfare group was formed, which, at a meeting to be | held on Monday night, will be subdivided into smaller groups for the purpose of undertaking this work. Suggestions for raising funds were discussed, and it was agreed to take larger premises for the league headquarters in Wellington, these to be still situated in the D.I.C. building, next door to the present room.