CLOTHING FOR EUROPE
Sia,—Between July, 1945, and May, 1948, British Quakers, largely through the generosity of non-Quakers, were able to send four million 'garments to Europe. We are now anxious to send a fifth million before the really. severe weather begins. Such factors as Poland's partial recovery and the currency reform in Germany should not blind us to the continuing need of millions. "For more than half the population," writes a relief worker in Austria, "there are simply no clothes to buy. Who can afford a month's income for a shoddy suit or a dress that won't wash ? " In Poland shoes are beyond almost everybody's reach: "I saw some boys' slipes in a shop window today priced at 9,000 zloties. A warehouseman gets 2,500 zloties a month, a clerk from 3,000 to 6,000." In Germany millions of refugees from East Prussia, Silesia and Pomerania are still eking out a bare existence in camps and converted barracks ; we learn from one source that the food ration of 1,700 calories alone costs 48 Deutschemarks per month, while the amount given by the relieving authorities to an adult refugee is only 35 Deutschemarks. Shoes and clothing are therefore luxuries beyond the means of many of these unfortunate people.
Shoes and clothing, whether in parcels or pantechnicons, should be sent to Friends Service Council, c/o Davies, Turner and Co., Bourne Street, S.W. 1; and every parcel will be acknowledged. Leaflets, sacks, labels and advice about organising local clothing drives may be obtained from us at Friends House, Euston Road, London, N.W.1. To collect, bale and ship a million garments will cost us £14,000: donations will
therefore be most welcome.—Yours truly, PAUL D. STURGE,
Friends Service Council, General Secretary. Friends House, Euston Road, N.W. r.
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