PATRIOTIC WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23592, 28 February 1940, Page 4

PATRIOTIC WORK

METROPOLITAN AREA appeal for gift parcels MEN OF THE FIRST. ECHELON An immediate appeal to the public for gift parcels for soldiers, on active servico is to be made by the Auckland Metropolitan Patriotic Committee, according. to an announcement made at tho fortnightly meeting of the women's activities section yesterday morning. The Mayoress, Lady Davis, chairwoman of the committee, presided. It was announced by Mr. J. A. C. Allum, deputy-chairman of tho Auckland Metropolitan Patriotic Committee, that a request had been received from the National Patriotic Council for 2345 parcels to bo despatched with the second echelon for men who had gone overseas with the first echelon. It was not possible, Mr. Allum said, to give tho exact date on which the parcels would be required, but there would be little time to collect the goods and pack them. Mr. Allum also appealed for 4(390 Balaclava, caps from the Auckland province, 2300 of which will be made in the metropolitan area. The wool for these had already arrived. Excellent progress in the knitting circles was reported by Lady Davis, who said 1000 pairs of socks had been sent in to the committee headquarters in Yorkshire House, while 200 pairs_ of gloves for members of the Royal Now Zealand Air Force were also finished.

In reply to a letter sent to tho secretary of the National Patriotic Council in Wellington regarding the supply of pyjamas for soldiers a telegraphic replv was received stating that it would not bo necessary for the patriotic committees to undertake this work. Lady Davis stated that she had been offered 600 yards of material for the making of pyjamas, which would not now be required. . . Miss E. Melville, who made inquiries into the matter in Wellington recently, stated that tho position appeared to be that the Red Cross Society was making pyjamas for men in hospital, and this organisation and the St. John Ambulance Association cared for the men when they were wounded or ill. The patriotic committee cared for the men when they were well. Miss Melville expressed approval of the division of the work, and it was decided to go ahead with the knitting of socks, scarves, gloves and balaclava caps, and also with the preparation of the gift parcels. The items required for the parcels would be announced later. It was decided to hold the meeting once a month, on the first Tuesday'of the month, instead of fortnightly. In the case of an emergency arising a special meeting..would be called.