CALL OF THE WOUNDED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15931, 31 May 1915, Page 4

CALL OF THE WOUNDED

ACTIVE women workers. UNPARALLELED ENTHUSIASMWORK FOR ALL. One of the most inspiring fights ever witnessed in Auckland was surely tho scene at the Town Hall 011 Thursday of last week, when Auckland women literally besieged it in their eagerness to' bo allotted work in the equipment of the hospital ship for New Zealand's; wounded soldiers. In regular procession they came, in rows three and four deep they stood, pressing in from early morning to ate afternoon, at times striving for place almost after the time-honoured manner of the bargain sale! " First come, firs served," was literally the motto of those at the head of the Hospital Ship Committee. "I'm sorry, but Wve been promised all the pillows wo need, but we still want some more sheets, would be

a typical reply made to an eager questioner, and from somewhere down the waiting line another voice would call anxiously, " Save mo some of that!' the speaker fearful lest that particular work should, all be allotted before she could make her way up. . , Auckland has ever given spontaneously and generously when call has been ma e, its women and men have entered w ,o e heartedly into every scheme for tho relict of suffering since tho great war began, but never in tho history, cither of city or Dominion, has there been such unparalleled enthusiasm, or any response equal to that made to the appeal on behaif of New Zealand's wounded. The list of Articles required for the hospital Ship was received from Wellington on Wednesday. By Friday not only had a full supply of practically every article 011 the' ladies' committee's list been guaranteed, but in many instances the quantity promised was largely iii excess of actual requirements. Allotting the Work.

In allotting the work the only condition imposed has been that every a.rticle must be washed and ironed and forwarded to the Town Hall by Friday, Juno 4. Ladies representing different districts, sewing circles, church organisations, societies and clubs of every description mado their offer of a certain quantity oI work, guaranteeing its completion by the date, fixed, and then, their offer having been accepted, got to work with their individual helpers. Many business firms also have given most valuable assistance, in many instances work" was allotted to suburban districts through their Mayoresses, who at once definitely offered help along curtain lines. Mount Eden, for example, guaranteed a number of sheets, pillowslips, and pyjamas, Mount v Albert loose cushion covers, Devonport mufflers, Balaclava caps and socks, and so on. The Civic igue, whose street collection during Belgian Week was fiuch a notable success, camo forward also and has been given a goodly (hare of the work. Every response to the call for help has been purely voluntary, indeed, one of the j great, difficulties the committee has had to j face has been to find sufficient work for all thoso offering. Auckland women, in city and -country districts 3,1 ike, have come forward deeming it in no sense a duty, but high privilege to b< allowed to express their Jove, sympathy, ■ ind admirations in somo tangible "way, and not one offer of help mad* in tins spirit . lias been rejected. Great tact has , been shown by the committee in dealing with situations not always easy. , For instance, one willing soul came and begged to be allowed "'<> do something—anything for the bojs. I can't sew well, she acknowledged frankly, "but Ido so much want to help! Can't you give me anything to do?" • I She was fidvised to work with , the organisation already formed in her own hstrict, bub it came out that her lack of till with the needle debarred her from theii . circle. Tho situation seemed difficult; than camo inspiration. "Well, everything lias to be washed and ironed, and. thai, is a most

important part of the work ' Why not offer to help that way, and so give the others more time to few,?" The idea was a brilliant one, and a couple ■>): days later the helper* came back to offei her thanks, perfectly happv and contentec that a way bad been found in which sho could actively assist-, •, , Working Girls' Fine Spirit. 'iucse working in the ciiiiso of the wounded comprise men, womnii, and children of every class of the community, all actuated by the one high motive. No finer spirit has been shown by any, however, than by Auckland's working girls. In office, shop, and factory they are working splendidly, snatching a few . Kid moments to finish ft row of knitting, cu; tailing lunch hours in order to put the flushing touch to some garment, working overtime to perform their share of .the noble work that proclaims all women sisters in tho one great cause. Tho girl tit tho cash desk, the waitress whoso lush hour is over, the attendant at -professional rooms, all are working. In car and train and steamer every morning and night are to jbe seen women and girls bus at knitting instead of engrossed in novsl reading or chatting. No finer wort , has been .done than by tho girls at tie Telephone Exchange. Ever since war began, they have worked unceasingly, first for the Belgifbs, then for tho soldieri' equipment. Not a. fortnight has gone by but a bundle of socks or useful articles cf some kind has been handed in to the Ladies' Patriotic Committee, and now all are busy in the great popular campaign. Schoolgirls, too, have been no less bus/ than their older sisters. The girls of the Diocesan School are making bed-socJts, while in somo of tho primary .schools, girls are knitting and sewing during reading lessons, and the suggestion lias been made that the ordinary sewing til no should be devoted to patriotic work. As showing tho general spirit, it is worthy of note that tho management of one popular picture show has invited its patrons to " Come, and bring your var-knitting," and many a busy needle hi.a clicked its way steadily through tho po 'formance. for surely this is the day of pnficiency that needs not light to guide skilled fingers.

Giving lor Lovn. The love of the woman-lie irt has never been more nobly demonstrate'l than within this last week. The call on behalf of the wounded has gone straight home to many an aching and sorrow-filled heart as no other appeal could have done "My own son has been wounded," mi ny a mother has said with tear-filled eyes, in offering her help, " and I want to do something for all the otter boys." And the first and almost universal thought las been for pillows! "I want them to haw nice, comfortable pillows for their poor heads!" Again and again tho tender words have been spoken, the woman-thought turning always in compassion to the sssential need of the sick bed.

Offers of help by mail have simply poured in. The following, f-om an Auckland suburb, is typical of the businesslike practical spirit shown throughout. "Please let/mo know where I am to forward my donation for the hospital sli p—6oo men's handkorchiefs, which will bo washed and ironed and ready by May 21" The eagerness of women in the back jlocks is well illustrated by the following, which comes from Pipiroa, Hawke's Ba;'. "I am writing to ask if there is anything women in a scattered district like this can do for Hie equipment of the hospital ship, I am very willing and anxious to do any sewing, etc., that would help yo i in any way, 2nd feel sure I can get, others to join me." That is ilw spirit ii which everyone is giving and working, and when the packers start to work on Fiiday n»xt, they will have before them & tssk which represents en outpouring of true sympathy and affection which will stand for al time to the credit of Auckland,.