FILLIP TO GUILD

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 139, 13 June 1940, Page 14

FILLIP TO GUILD

GIFT OF 3200 ARTICLES

DISPLAY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Criticism was levelled recently at women's patriotic work so far as knitting was concerned. Yesterday afternoon, at Government House, many hundreds of hand-knitted articles made by Wellington members of the New Zealand Union of Townswomen's Guilds (Inc.) for refugees in England were handed over to her Excellency Viscountess Galway for the Lady Galway Patriotic Guild. The knitted goods included jumpers and cardigans, complete sets of baby clothes, and quilts.

No one, having seen the display in the ballroom at Government House yesterday, would dispute the value and splendid quality of the work which has been done by women who are desperately keen to help in some way in a war effort. They gladly accepted the suggestion of sewing and knitting for refugee women and children, since most are housewives with few opportunities for the more strenuous tasks which have been mentioned lately.

Yesterday was the inaugural day of Lady Galway's Guild, and the gift of 3200 articles from the Townswomen's Union was an acceptable birthday present. Mrs. James Pow, Dominion president, made the gift on behalf of the branches represented with her in the room, and said that the guilds were proud to be the first to make a public contribution to her Excellency's collection. Lady Galway, in thanking those who had contributed to the splendid total, said that she was sure that such an effort would spur everyone in their work for a great cause. With Lord Galway, she inspected the display.

Among those present were the Mayoress, Mrs. T.. C. A. Hislop, Mrs. P. Kinsman, honorary Dominion secretary of the New Zealand Union of Townswomen's Guilds (Inc.), Mrs. Brownie, honorary Dominion treasurer and branch presidents, including Miss V. Kettle (Lower Hutt), Mrs. Bradstock (Miramar), Mrs. Thomas (Berhampore), Mrs. Russell (Hataitai). Mrs. Smith (Lyall Bay), Mrs. Craig (Eastbourne).

After the presentation a committee stayed behind to pack the warm clothing contributed by their Excellencies with the suits for women and children, pyjamas, vests, tailored coats and skirts, padded and patchwork quilts, boots and shoes, and socks, etc., which had been displayed on large trestle tables and piled high on the dais.