Talk On Europe Given To Wanganui Townswomen’s Guild

Wanganui Chronicle, 10 June 1948, Page 7

Talk On Europe Given To Wanganui Townswomen’s Guild

Mrs J. C. Batt presided over a large attendance of members of the Wanganui Townswomen’s Guild at the June meeting, he'd yesterda-- afternoon in the Y.M.-Y.W.C.A. lounge. Miss M. Wilson, of the Friends’ School staff, gave an interesting talk on her journey through France, Holland, Germany, Belgium and Denmark, with members of the Free Church Council, 18 months ago. The purpose was to see at first hand what the conditions were like, particu’arly in regard to food and living generally. Miss Wilson <&id that the black market was, at that time, one of the most important factors, aiso the terrible lack of c'othing, food and housing, also the delinquency and other evils caused through these conditions. Nothing could be done to obtain rations excent through the black market. She found the best conditions in Denmark, where things were almost back to normal. Other countries appeared to have a certain amount of prosperity, but one had to 7 ook underneath to see the real conditions.

Conditions in Germany were appalling. One of the things was the lack of books and newspapers, and many children could not go out *at all because they had no clothes to wear. In numerous instance there wou’d be only one set of clothes in a family of five and these clothes were worn in turn by the members. Life was really one quest for food, said Miss Wilson, who went on to describe the children in Berlin and surrounding towns which were in devastation and ruin, and how they fought to get to the refuse bins nut out by the mi’itary camps, loojyng for scraps of food. The people were literally living in holes. In the British zone children were given one hot meal a day. The speaker pointed out the p'ight of the children, many of whom had had no schooling and practicallv ran wild, and said that everyone should be concerned about these children, how they would grow up and what is to become of them. The neople in Holland were most industrious and were making a great effort to get their country back to normal. The food and clothing sent to them by organisations was shared round as much as possible and they were most grateful for seeds to get their crops started again. Miss Wilson said she understood that conditions in Germany had improved since her visit. Thanks were expressed to the speaker and singers, who were presented with sprays. Correspondence, read by the secretary, Mrs. W. McElwain, included a letter from the Loys Guild in England. which gave a list of the guild’s activities. Mrs M. A. Archibald was appointed as hospTlal visitor for the Wanganui guild. An invitation was received from Castlecliff gui’d to attend its birthday party to be held next, month. The secretary announced that three large tins of dripping had been sent last month to H’n Loys Townswomen’s Guild. A bouquet displayed was to be taken to Mrs. J. J. Scott, who has been ill for some time. Songs were sung by Mrs B. Boyle and Miss Jean Chesswas. A representative of the Merchant Navy Missions. * Wellington, who was accompanied by Mrs J. Lorimer, spoke on the forthcoming street day appeal.