SOLDIERS' DEPENDENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15950, 22 June 1915, Page 9

SOLDIERS' DEPENDENTS.

PRACTICAL HELP GIVEN. \ CLOTHING AND ADVICE. Since the outbreak of war, much good work has been quietly and unostentatiously performed by the Patriotic Guild of the Civic League for the wives and children of Imperial reservists and Auckland men on , service. The guild was formed in October as < the result of' a suggestion of Mrs. Parr, ex-Mayoress, its object being to keep in friendly touch with the wives and families of soldiers and to render* assistance where need arose. The first activity of the guild was the giving of a Christmas tree in the Town Hall, at which time close on 300 children, many of whom would have spent a toy less Christmas, were most liberally entertained. , The formation of a Sewing Committee was the next step taken, and since January an enthusiastic and. capable band of workers under Mrs. A. Wilson and Mrs. r/Esterro has been busily at work making garments for the soldiers' children, sup* plies for close on 200 having been made up.. Kindly interest in the work of the Sewing Committee has been shown by business firms and private individuals, valuable assistance having been rendered by Messrs. Arch. Clark and Sons, who recently undertook the making of 100 pair of boys' knickers, shirts, and pyjamas. A number of Remuera ladies have also interested themselves in the work of the guild, and this week handed in a bundlo of babies' knitted garments which 'the recent cold weather has made particularly acceptable. Upon tho receipt of news that the New Zealanders had gono into action at tho Dardanelles, the guild at once formed a Visiting Committee for the purpose of regularly visiting the mothers and wives of all men'on tho guild's list and ascertaining if thero were any way in which it might be of service in their. time of sorrow and need. About 80 families have been so visited, and the visitors report that without exception' they have been welcomed and in sevoral instances have already been the means of obtaining assistant for those in need. For example, one mother has a son at the front from whom no word has been received sincvs the departuro of the troops. A daughter engaged in factory work is he: sole support, and the two havo been living upon the girl's wages, less than fifteen shilling* a we 2k. Upon these facts being made known to the guild's visitor, the mother was advised as to how to proceed to have a certain portion of the son's pay allotted to her, he having made no provision whatever for ner support. Other womon, again, state that they havo no need of assistance, but welcome-the visitor from a friendly standpoint. Many other mothers, already receiving assistance from the Auckland Patriotic Committee, but with no margin for extras, have gladly accepted aid in the shape of warm winter clothing for their little ones. Mothers with time to spare, receive material and mako it up themselves; those unable to do this are supplied with garments ready made. To give financial assistance is not the object of the guild, but to help the families of the men on service to feol than the women of Auckland are not forgetting them in tho urgency of other calls, but are ready and willing to stand by them giving not only sympathy, but practical, help in their present hour of need.