GIRL GUIDES’ WAR WORK

Southland Times, Issue 24153, 15 June 1940, Page 17

GIRL GUIDES’ WAR WORK

CLOTHES FOR REFUGEES In March last the Dominion Chief Commissioner of Girl Guides, Miss Ruth Herrick, asked the Guides of New Zealand to take part in a combined effort to provide clothes for refugee Guides and other children in Poland, Finland and other European countries. To start the appeal Dominion Headquarters provided £lOO worth of materials. These were cut out and together with patterns and* knitting instructions for woollies were distributed proportionally throughout- New Zealand. The closing day was May 31 and about that date parcels, large and small, arrived by rail and post in hordes at» Dominion Headquarters, Hastings. Between that date and June 6 members of the Dominion Executive sorted, checked and repacked the garments into cases for shipping to the Girl Guides’ Association, Imperial Headquarters, London, for distribution. Altogether 2200 garments of all descriptions, together with 208 woollen blankets and cot covers, were packed. The sewing and knitting in some of the garments were exquisite and no pains had been spared with any of them in making the clothes as attractive as possible. These garments had all been made by the Guides, Rangers and Brownies and included a delightful array of baby garments, cardigans, pullovers, dresses, hats, caps, stockings, nightgowns and pyjamas for girls from one year to 12 or 13, boys shirts, trousers, undervests and socks. Gloves, mittens, scarves, face cloths and aprons were also provided. . Most of the blankets were knitted from peggy squares and suitably lined. One company knitted a Guide trefoil in the centre; another “N.Z.”, and others attached coloured picture books to small cot covers. Nothing was forgotten—the pockets of some dresses and trousers contained handkerchiefs —to some of the garments was attached a small card bearing the words: “With love and best wishes for happier times from New Zealand Guides.”

Estimating the value of the garments at a low cost price of materials only, this would amount to at least £650. Parcels of garments and blankets are still pouring in to Dominion Headquarters and as several companies have asked if they may continue with the scheme, further cases will be packed and shipped overseas as opportunity occurs.