TOC H MOVEMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23004, 4 April 1938, Page 3

TOC H MOVEMENT

PART PLAYED BY WOMEN VICTORIA LEAGUE ADDRESS MORNING TEA FOR VISITORS A morning tea was given by members of the Victoria League 011 Saturday for two overseas visitors, Mm. X. K Edwards, who is a member of the Victoria League, London, and an honorary staff member of Toe H, and Miss Helen Benbow, general secretary for the Toe H League of Women Helpers. A welcome to the visitors was extended by Mrs. J. B. Macfarlane.

Miss Benbow spoke briefly of the origin of Toe H when it was started in Talbot House with "Tubby" Clayton as the innkeeper. Talbot House was meant as a rest-house for men where they could be certain of a welcome. Unselfish service and fellowship were, the two ideals, said Miss Benbow, and permeating the whole of Talbot House was "Tubby" Clayton's chapel in the loft. The movement was originated during the war, but later on many of the men who had been to Talbot House felt they would like to continue the friendships they had made there. "Tubby" Clayton started houses in many parts and these were open not only to ex-servicemen but to anybody at all. Miss Benbow pointed out that women had always been connected with Toe H from the very beginning of the movement. When Toe H grew larger women continued with their help and were known as the Toe H League of Women Helpers. The women's part had never grown to be as large as that of the men, but the two organisations cooperated in their work, part oL' which was prison and hospital visiting.

Gratitude to the Auckland Victoria League for its hospitality was expressed by Mrs. Edwards, who also conveyed messages from members of other branches she had visited during her travels. The hostesses were Mrs. J. B. Macfarlane, Mrs. C. R. Keeble, Mrs. 11. F. Ward, Mrs. F. Stubbs, Miss F. Murray and Miss C. Stubbs.