LADY NEWALL’S VISIT

Southland Times, Issue 25618, 10 March 1945, Page 4

LADY NEWALL’S VISIT

ADDRESSJTO WOMEN Representatives of almost every women’s organization in Southland met in the Victoria Concert Chamber yesterday afternoon at a function in honour of her Excellency Lady Newall. The stage was decorated with pot plants and greenery. Her Excellency was accompanied by the Mayoress, Mrs A. Wachner, and Mrs W. F. Sturman. In extending a welcome to Lady Newall, Mrs Wachner said she felt sure that she could welcome her as a woman who had experienced the dangers of war—as she had done in Britain in the early days when her countrywomen were prepared to stand shoulder to shoulder with their menfolk in actual combat—as a mother who must have experienced great anxiety for the safety of her children during those trying days, and above all, as the representative of that symbol of British womanhood and motherhood —our gracious Queen Elizabeth. MANY INTERESTS REPRESENTED “All those women present today represent some phase of the national life of New Zealand in both town and country—as homemakers, as social and welfare workers, as spiritual guides, as war workers, as business women and as members of the noble profession of nursing, which plays so important a part in the well-being of our Dominion, both in time of war and in the routine of everyday life,” said Mrs Wachner. "We have with us here many of those wives and mothers who bear bravely and uncomplainingly the thought that their loved ones keep an eternal vigil on distant shores, that we may live in peace and security. We have, too, those elder women who have responded to a national call for unity and help at a time when they might reasonably expect to live somewhat freer lives. These, and many others, representing as they do an everincreasing interest in the welfare of our community and our country are, I feel, the foundations, as it were, on which we hope to build an even happier national life in this Dominion when the war is ended.” A bouquet of roses and maidenhair fern was then presented to her Excellency by Mrs Wachner. TRIBUTE TO MRS FRASER

“It is a very great pleasure to be with you today and I am very happy to see so many present,” said Lady Newall. "Before I start to speak to you I would like to make reference to the loss the Dominion and its people have suffered by the death of Mrs Fraser, and to ask you to stand for a few moments in silence as a mark of respect.” Continuing, Lady Newall said: “I really do feel that every man, woman and child in this great Dominion has reason to bless Mrs Fraser—she was an exceptionally fine woman in every way and did so much good. She took a very real interest in the welfare of every one in this Dominion. On the return of Mrs Fraser to New Zealand after her visit to England I had a letter from Mrs Winston Churchill, in which she spoke of the splendid grasp of affairs Mrs Fraser had, and said that her delightful ways had endeared her to the women of England.”

Lady Newall then went on to say that his Excellency and herself often wished that they had more time to visit the south. They had been accorded a civic reception at Bluff in the .morning. and had found much of interest to visit there. She mentioned that on visiting the cannery works she had taken care to observe the conditions under which the girls worked, particularly the accommodation reserved for them. She mentioned also having visited the Underwood factory before arriving at the Concert Chamber. WOMEN’S WAR WORK Lady Newall spoke of the marvellous work that the. middle-aged women were doing in this war right throughout the Empire, and of the complexities of life in England at the present time. The younger women, who in normal times would have been busy with their homes and children, were now working In munition and other factories, and the older women were working long hours at a variety of jobs that had to be done. The country women were caring for evacuated people, and all were helping to grow extra food. The growing of flowers had to a large extent been superseded by the growing of vegetables. “His Excellency and I,” Lady Newall said, “like to have a guard of honour. We like to see the Girl Guides, the Brownies, Scouts, and Cubs. We feel that these organizations more than anything else train the young people in the ideals of good citizenship. Character, intelligence, handcraft, health and service are fine watchwords. The young people observe without really knowing they are doing so. Every encouragement should be given to the patrol system.” CHANGES IN ENGLAND Her Excellency then contrasted the conditions as they were in England when she left in 1941 with those on her return in 1943. The main impression was one of shabbiness, she said. Nothing was painted and much was unkempt. Women went stockingless and new clothes were a prohibitive price when obtainable, but the women did not seem to mind as long as they had a clean face and tidy hair—it was all that mattered—the spirit of the people was still invincible. A request was also made for people to continue sending goods home, to continue knitting and working as supplies are very low and are urgently needed. Mrs Wachner. who thanked Lady Newall for her address, said that there were 27 women's organizations represented at the function, but one was not listed. “It is,” she said, “an association that is world-wide, that has no frontiers, no barriers, no creed or race; there are no rules or headquarters, and no charter unless it be that of tears, prayer, or sorrow. I refer to those women who have lost their loved ones in this war.” As Lady Newall had expressed a wish to meet the wives, sisters and mothers of those who had suffered bereavement in the war, Mrs Wachner presented her Excellency to them.