COMFORTS FOR SOLDIERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16186, 24 March 1916, Page 3

COMFORTS FOR SOLDIERS.

dominion' gift , scheme.

THE WELLINGTON CONFERENCE.

A Dominion conference of women's patriotic organisations was held in Wellington recently, for the purpose of inaugurating a unifying scheme for the general distribution of comforts for New Zealand soldiers at the front. Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool presided, and delegates from all parts of New Zealand were present.

Mrs. Holland, Christclmrch, proposed, and Miss Luckie seconded, that if practicable an arrangement should be made for a Dominion gift of comforts, consisting of a uniform parcel for general distribution for the men at the front. This was carried unanimously after considerable discussion.

A number of reports from various leagues were received on this subject, including those from Mrs. Coradine, Masterton, Miss Luckie, and Mrs. Fitzherbert, Hastings, and Mrs. Carry, Mrs. Lucas, and Mrs. Duncan, Blenheim.

It .was proposed by Miss Spedding, of Auckland, seconded by Mrs. W. Nathan, that a committee of the Mayoresses and secretaries of the four centres, with Her Excellency as president, should be formed to decide on the contents of the Dominion parcel. This was carried.

Each Centre's Share.

It was proposed by Mrs. Lock, seconded by Miss Luckie, that the North and South Island should do this work alternately month about. Miss Kpedding moved, and Mrs. Romsby seconded, as an amendment, that the four centres should each provide a quarter monthly. The amendment was carried. , ilrs. LulvO, ©£ Wellington, reported having received a letter from Mr. Bernard i»PP, jfjjmaru. Jn "which he offers to supervise the distribution of Dominion gifts to New Zealand troops. The CountfS pL f , <laSS °7 proposed, and Mrs. Way, of Lhristchurch, seconded that Mr. Bernard Tripp should be assured that the committee highly appreciate his generous oiler.—The motion was carried. 1 '' J; P- Luke, of Wellington, proposed, Miss Spedding, Auckland, seconded, that each centre should assist in money or kind in supplying transports with fruit, cake books, _ games, gramaphones, etc.,' and the Wellington Committe should control the supplies.—The motion was carried. Mrs. Holland, Christchurch, proposed, and Mrs. Crawford, Nelson, seconded, that all appeals for gifts and all gift parcels, go through the four centres. Mrs. n ? on ' Auckland, speaking in support of the motion, pointed out the fact that complete (filiation with the country districts would be a source of immense strength to each centre. The motion was carried unanimously. Concentration of Gifts. i Mrs. Holland brought before the notice I of the conference the fact that outgoing parcels to country districts of material, etc., were charged railage, although incoming parcels were carried free. She inquired if any rebate were possible. Miss Downie Stewart, Dunedin, confirmed Mrs. Holland's statement, and said official information had been obtained to the effect that the charge was inevitable. Miss Spedding, Auckland, suggested that in order to increase interest, and supply of knitted comforts, that a Dominion contest should be held according to the terms of circular distributed. After considerable discussion it was decided . that it should be left to the will of each centre, as a Dominion contest at present was deemed unsuitable 1 _ Mrs. Luke, Wellington, called the attention of the conference to the fact that wool could be purchased by contract, thereby reducing the price to the patriotic worker. A number of reports were received from various leagues as to the methods and contents of parcels distributed as parting gifts. Contents o! Parcels.

A somewhat lengthy discussion followed as to the advisability of continuing this form of gift, but it was decided to make no rule, as the smaller leagues pointed out that it had betfn so much approved that it would be difficult to abandon it. During the afternoon it was announced that the parcel to be sent as a Dominion gift should bo of the value of 2s 6d. containing any of the following articles: — Sardines, salmon, anchovy, extract of meat, Bovril, curry powder, Heating's, Glaxo, soup tablets, cocoa, cornflour, soap, writing paper, and sanitary paper. A question was asked in regard to variation of housewives, and Mrs. Luke pointed out that this was impossible, as the stock pattern has been contracted for.

A vote of thanks to Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool, for presiding at the conference was proposed by Mrs. Massey, seconded by Lady Ward, and carried with acclamation. Already the scheme has been taken up with enthusiasm in Auckland, and the first consignment of gifts is ready for packing. This work will be undertaken to-day at the Town Hall. CO-OPERATION IN WAIHI. DECISION OF LADIES' MEETING. [BY telegraph.—own correspondent.] Waihi, Thursday. A meeting was held last night, under the presidency of the Mayoress, Mfs. Donaldson, to consider a circular from the Mayoress of Auckland asking for the co-operation of Waihi ladies in supplying regular presents for tie men at the 'front. It was decided to support the movement.