DOMINION STOCKING LEAGUE.

White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 259, 18 January 1917, Page 3

DOMINION STOCKING LEAGUE.

At this time, when economy is being urged upon us from all sides, it will be interesting to take a glance at the work of the Dominion Stocking League. This Society first started work in Dunedin in 1910. It certainly was a Heaven-born inspiration to take the worn-out stockings, which few value, and most throw away, and out of them fashion warm and dainty clothing for the underfed, ill-clad waifs of the London streets. From small beginnings the work has grown, and now not only worn stockings, but all kinds of worn-out woven clothing are taken and made into dainty suits, caps, scarves, etc. First the stockings are sterilised, and then all the good parts arc cut out to be used.

The first annual report was issued in September, 1911. It was then called the Baptist Women’s Missionary I’nion Stocking League. This year a branch has been formed at Roslvn, in addition to the origina 1 one at Hanover Street. The total number of garments for 1911 was 417. These were despatched to missionaries in India, and the remainder were sent to London, and there divided between the West Ham Central Mission and Dr. Barnardo’s Homes. In 1912 branches were formed at Gore and Mosgiel, the former contributing ioo garments, and the latter 106. The Dunedin branch, with a membership of 43, made 754 garments. These were again forwarded to India and London.

In 1913 six new branches were ad ded to the three, making nine in all Dunedin, Gore, Mosgiel, Bluff, Kelso, Oamaru, Wellington, Berhampore, and Khandallah. This year the name was altered to the Dominion Stocking League. It was now spreading throughout the Dominion, and was quite undenominational. The number of garments this year numbered 1670.

In 1914 Dunedin doubled its membership. The number of garments made was 4837. This year, in addition to the usual recipients, a large* case was sent for the widows and orphans of those who had fallen at the Front. This year Lady Liverpool became Patroness of the League. At the annual meeting, in September, members decided to hold special meetings to make clothing for the Belgian refugees, and so enthusiastically did they work that by November 25th, 2341 garments were ready 40 br shipped. 1 hese were sent to the High Commissioner, who, in acknowledging their receipt, said: “The kind gifts of your League have been very highly appreciated by the recipients. The clothing is admirable, and in almost every child’s garment was a coin of some sort.”

In 1915, branches were formed in Hastings, Auckland, and Wellington. Every year a display of goods is made before they are packed to be sent away. The display this year was wonderful, and nobody looking at the jerseys, dresses, caps, babies* boots, etc., so tastefully made and so beautifully ornamented with hand needlework, would credit that the whole was made from cast-off stoc kings of alj sizes and all shades of colour. Mrs McLaren, 604, Cumberland Street, Dunedin, is Dominion President. If any lady is desirous of starting a branch of the League in her own town, she can get full particulars from Mrs McLaren, also patterns of all garments to be made. Surely these workers are to be* praised who utilise what would otherwise be wasted, and from a pair of stockings, whose worn-out feet are the despair of even the most enthusiastic darner, fashion beautiful and useful suits, dresses, caps, and other things too varied to be mentioned, to keep warm the poor waifs of London and the stricken Belgian refugees,