SOLDIERS' DEPENDANTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16030, 23 September 1915, Page 8

SOLDIERS' DEPENDANTS

REORGANISATION OF WORK.

PRACTICAL SYMPATHY.

The work of the Civic League Patriotic Guild in caring for the wives and children of the men on active service has been one of the most successful forms of patriotic work carried on in Auckland during the past year, and one which has been thoroughly appreciated by women to whom war has brought hardship and suffering. This work has lately increased to such an extent, however, that it has been deemed advisable that it should now be carried on under direct control of the Auckland Women's Patriotic League. The members in charge of different branches of the worksewing, visiting, entertaining, etc.have, therefore, joined the central committee, and will in future carry on the work as a sub-committee of that body, and be known as the Soldiers' Dependants' Sub-committee.

The special need of soldiers' wives and children at a time when so many homes are suffering the loss of their chief sudport makes work of this kind specially important, and every effort will be made by the sub-commTttee to render sympathy and help wherever needed. During the past year, valuable assistance has been given to many families receiving aid from the Patriotic League, but with no margin to meet extra expenses for clothing or entertainment of any kind for the children. In addition to supplying a large amount of clothing, a Visiting Committee has been in clnso personal touch with the wives of soldiers since last April, when New Zealand men first went into action. In this way many cases of need have been brought to light and relieved, and the practical help thus given has done much to lessen the sorrow and hardship of the winter months.