NAVY LEAGUE FUNCTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25160, 24 March 1945, Page 4

NAVY LEAGUE FUNCTION

VICE-REGAL VISIT Although arranged at rather short notice to enable Her Excellency Lady Newall to see some of tlu work of the Auckland branch of the Navy League, a function held yesterday afternoon by the chairman and members o:t the ladies' committee at the league's work centre in Elliott Street was atlendetl by a large number of knitters, representatives of various women's organisations and other league helpers. Lady Newall, who was accompanied by Miss Norah Walton, was received by the chairman of the ladies' committer, Mrs R. G. Coats. Others in the official party were the Mayoress, Mrs J. A. C. Allum. Mrs C. H. T. Palmer, Mrs J. H. Frater, Mrs W. K. D. Dowding and the honorary secretary of the branch, Mrs P. J. Crump. In acknowledging Airs' Coats' brief speech of welcome, Lady Newall paid a warm tribute to the splendid work done by the Auckland branch of the league and said how deeply people in England, especially the recipients of the gilts, appreciated the help »o generously sent oy New Zealand members. She stressed the point that such help would still be sorely needed for a t least two years after the war. ■ Her Excellency was escorted through the rooms to see a demonstration of spinning and to view the fine display of work, especially that done by the army of outside helpers, the Welfare Circle, the Women's Service Movement, the Voctoria League and the Caringa Sewing Circle. Afternoon tea wm then served. Evidence of the great amount of work done by the Auckland branch is supplied by the fact that since the outbreak of war 70,000 navy knitted garments alone have been sent through the work centre, while the Auckland branch has also packed all the overseas service parcels for the Navy League throughout New Zealand, a total of 68,000.