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radios; rowing-boats; electric irons; fishing lines and nets; writing-paper and envelopes ; football and hockey jerseys, shorts, and boots ; and numerous varieties of sports and other equipment. ■ ■ Annual Conference of Patriotic Bodies The annual Dominion Patriotic Conference was held in November, 1944, for the purpose of surveying the work of the year and co-ordinating and planning future activities in the light of the changing war situation. The Conference decided, among other things, to set aside a Welfare Fund of up to £2,000,000 for the Dominion and to adopt a uniform policy in the disbursement of same. Woollen Comforts The work of providing Navy, Army, and Air Force woollen comforts was continued under the supervision of Mrs. A. A. Stitchbury (Navy), Mrs. D. M. Mcßae (Army), and Miss C. Morice (Air Force). Large quantities of woollen comforts were knitted and received in the Board's store and Air Force Relations depot, for issue in New Zealand and for despatch overseas. To facilitate issues to naval personnel, 1 lb. of knitting-wool was issued in lieu of garments where naval men could arrange for relatives and friends to knit, the wool. Servicewomen in cold stations were issued with \ lb. wool, and in special cases where drafts were sent overseas, or to cold stations in New Zealand at short notice, some garments were issued. On the cessation of hostilities repatriated prisoners of war and returning servicemen were issued with woollens where necessary, and after maintaining a reserve for future requirements the balance of knitted garments and wool was made available for the relief of distress overseas. The following table shows the cumulative number of knitted garments made up and issued to 30th September, 1945 :

Cumulative Return of Woollen Goods made and issued during Year ended 30th September, 1945

Hussifs —Made and issued : Army, 134,165; Navy, 8,971; Air Force, 36,846; rescue kits, 483;: sheep-skin jackets, 1,749 (exported). Unknitted wool issued to servicemen and servicewomen in lieu of garments : Army, 90J lb.; Navy,. 1,155 lb.; Air Force, 24 lb. Note. —During the year stocks of khaki woollens were returned to the Board from Army campsin New Zealand. The net local issues were reduced accordingly. These stocks were later exported and are now shown under the heading " Overseas."

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— Ct C 08 Gloves. Mittens. Pullovers. Scarves. 8> §3 ■8S Socks. o 00 § Army 29,881 911 29,620 4,334 70,273 63,677 1,720 Air Force Relations 43,525 7,156 52,223 74,942 62,207 9,948 10,588 Navy League and patriotic 32,232 5,928 26,747 20,203 26,514 8," 725 29,129 6,633 issues Overseas (Army, Navy, 244,922 6,503 164,192 26,594 193,722 3,978 64,650 16,954 and Air) Totals 350,560 20,498 272,782 126,073 352,716 12,703 167,404 35,895 Stocks on hand Army 1,938 15 2,472 675 5,978 4,087 81 Navy 1,747 854 2,435 2,793 2,556 '286 4,526 261 Air Force 5,828 380 6,093 4,447 5,840 2 3,206 3,458 Grand totals 360,073 21,747 283,782 133,988 367,090 1 12,991 179,223 39,695