UNITED GUILD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 239, 6 September 1940, Page 8

UNITED GUILD

MONTHLY MEETING. Mrs Major Dick presided over an attendance of 82 when the United Guild met in the P.D.C. tearooms yesterday afternoon. Associated with her were the secretary (Mrs W. A. Jacques) and assistant-secretary (Miss M. Jones). An apdlogy for absence was received from Mrs W. R. Hopcroft, who extended her good wishes. Mrs Dick briefly outlined the aims and ideals of the guild. Miss Jones read the monthly report, which stated that a letter wishing the guild success had been received from the general secretary of the Lady Galway Patriotic Guild (Mr G. G. Stewart). Mrs W. E. Field had met the Kairanga County Council to discuss the affairs of the guild in relation to the County Council, and the guild had since been advised that the council would give authority to the United Guild to function under the patronage of the council provided their activities were confined to the country districts. “On August 21,” continued the report, “Mr Hopcroft. chairman of the council, came to the P.D.C. rooms for a further discussion. The meaning of the condition stipulated by the council was clarified and was quite in accordance with the modus operandi of the guild, it not being our policy to make public appeals for money or to raffle or organise any other money-making devices which might cross the field of the city guild ; the various groups and sewing circles working for the United Guild are free to carry out their individual economy as eacli sees best. A letter will, therefore, be sent to the council thanking Tiiem for their patronage and agreeing to their conditions." On August 25 three large cases were sent to headquarters, together with information in regard to the running of the United Guild, and the general secretary wrote expressing warm appreciation and remarking that the selfsupporting manner in which the guild was functioning was an indication of the 'good spirit in which those who were assisting in its work were entering into this important patriotic effort. From a number of quarters complimentary references to the standard of the goods despatched were received. A new phase of the work, the craft of spinning, is now being entered into, and Mrs P. McMahon has kindly offered to teach any members interested. A demonstration on the wheSl lent by Mrs Sinclair will be given shortly. Several more wheels are on offer and it is hoped eventually to solve the wool problem. Mrs Dick remarked that 766 garments had been sent to headquarters in the t'hree cases mentioned in the report, and a total of 5000 since the committee was first set rip. This information was received with applause.

It was proposed by Mrs W. G. Black that the name “United Guild” be retained under the patronage of the Kairanga County Council. Mrs Dick said the guild had become well-known under this name and it would save confusion to retain it. She thought it was very gracious of the Kairanga County Council to accord their patronage. All country organisations would contribute through the United Guild and not conflict wit'll other guilds. There were advantages in retaining the name and advantages in being recognised by the County Council. Mrs Field explained that money could not he raised iif the town lor the guild, but could be raised in the country. The County Council could not conflict with the city. Mrs W. Briden Jones said she thought it a pity not to have the name of Lady Galway attached, and thus, participate in the patriotic funds. Mrs Jacques (secretary) explained that flic funds allotted were very small and would merely mean the splitting of the grant to the Palmerston North Ladv. Galway Guild with the United Guild, and this would only cover the purchase of cottons and small amounts for renovations. Mrs Black pointed out ' that the Lady Galway Guild was under the Patriotic Zone Committee and all money raised by. it bad to be handed over to the Patriotic Committee, whereas money raised by the United Guild could be retained. It was agreed that this was a distinct advantage, and it was decided to retain the name L’nited Guild.

Mrs Dick suggested that the wives of three Kairanga County Councillors be added to the executive, and Mrs T. D. Lynch was elected, it being decided, on the suggestion of Mrs Field, to ask the Kairanga County Council to appoint the other two. Mrs Dick also appealed to other members present to take office in order that the duties of those in charge of the work room should be lightened. Mesdames Blane, N. H. Sinclair, and H. R. Whitehead were elected. New members elected to the general committee were Mesdames J. C. Riddle, C. l'reyberg. R. Hodgson, and P. Betts. A letter was received from the secretary of the Lady Galway Patriotic Guild offering material from the postmen’s drive in Wellington to give work to the members. It was decided to accept this offer and to ask that 20 sacks be sent up forthwith. Mrs Dick reported that a local firm had offered stationery printed with the guild’s name as'a gift. In reply to a question from Mrs A. Stewart, Mrs Dick explained that the request not to buy new materials applied only to the expenditure of patriotic funds. The secretary was asked to send a letter of thanks to fiiie management of the P.D.C. tearooms for the use of their room.

.Thanks for gifts received since August 19 were expressed lo the following: — W.D.F.U., Y.W.C.A., Congregational Guild, “Two Wellwishers,” Mrs Glendinning’s Sewing Circle, Women’s Institute at Glen Oroua and Kelvin Grove, A Friend, anonymous donor, Mr Iv. Henderson, Mesdames Sinclair. Carter, McKenzie, Newton, Evans, Elliott, Rennie, Teague, Rbsonberg. Miss Ross, Wai Work Section of National Club, Baptist Guild, Cuba Street Guild, Te Arakura Sewing . Circle, “Mali Jong Four,” Mesdames Dawbcr, Kelly, Tucker Hooper, Lancaster. W. 11. Knight, Hardy, Opie, Dawe, Haggitt; for supplying cases, Messrs Ilnllenstcin Bros.. Johnson and Co., Millar and Giorgi, Mr Dawber; for carting, Mr Rendall and Messrs Barraud and Abraham: for work done, Mr Briden-Joncs and Mr Garrick; to the P.D.C., for care of sowing machines and many other ways; to Mr and Mrs Oliver of the tearoom.