W.C.T.U. CENTRAL BRANCH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 116, 20 May 1942, Page 2

W.C.T.U. CENTRAL BRANCH

ENJOYABLE PROGRAMME AND TALK The Wanganui Central branch o£ Women s Cnrlstian Temperance Union held its monthly meeting m Trinity Parlour, with tne president, Mrs. Duxfield, in the chair, preceding devotions were taken by Mrs. Grinstead, on a theme particularly appncaoie to tne present time. Mrs. Grinstead and Mrs. Ogg had arranged an enjoyable programme oi competitions, games and entertainment, and tne atternoon brought increased membership. Mrs. Robert Wilson, vice-president, returned thanks for a cordial welcome on her first attendance after a serious illness. One new member was initiated. This meeting was the annual Peace Day, and Mrs. F. J. Williams, the speaker for the day, made it the occasion for a vivid account of the difficulties of the evacuation from Port Moresby to escape the Japanese raids. Mrs. Williams had but recently rejoined her husband, in charge of the hospital there, expecting that as a nurse she would be able to stay on and do useful work. She explained how all European women, including the missionaries in various stations among Papua and the Solomon Islands, had been prepared to carry on with the work that had taken such time and sacrifice to build up, but all had been given by the Government definite notice that the presence oi white women in the lighting areas increased the responsibility of the defence, ana the danger for their native followers, so all must go as quickly as arrangements could be made to take them. Among the tightly packed refugees on the boat were some from Singapore, Hongkong, Kenza, Malaya, and many remote settlements and mission stations, all gathered in at short notices by any means available. One woman came by plane with seven children, the youngest two months old. Many had in their care children, or invalids, all hurriedly uprooted with what they could gather, in perhaps two hours notice, of necessities for the voyage by unknown ways to an unknown destination. Among the 600 or 700 passengers were many women unfit to travel under the trying uncertainties that were unavoidable and the captain insisted on having a military doctor join his reduced staff. It was a sensible precaution, as three babies were born in the ship’s cabin during the voyage. As no more provision for any need could be provided than 301bs of luggage could hold, and in the crowd and haste many things most wanted temporarily disappeared. Ail the kindness of the officials could not solve the unusual problems of wartime travelling, especially for women unused to having to see to themselves, and the many who had been so hurriedly uprooted without being able to carry money with them. Mrs. Williams, to whom it was not a first experience of being evacuated in wartime, portrayed vividly many incidents. rousing sympathy with the countless numbers who have been made homeless by the war that has not yet reached oiir coasts. A hearty vote of thanks was passed. Arrangements were made for next month’s meeting, the first Thursday in June.