WOMAN'S WORLD

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2531, 4 August 1915, Page 3

WOMAN'S WORLD

(Continued from page 2.) WOMEN'S NATIONAL'RESERVE LOOKING TO THE FUTURE.: The mooting which was held in the 5f.M-C.Ai Rooms yesterday afternoon to further matters in connection with the formation of'a women's honorary branch of the New Zealand National Reserve was largely attended, about eighty of those interested being present. The meeting was presided over by Mrs. Porter, wife of Colonel Porter, ; Commandant of the National Reserve. In explaining the objects of tho movement. Mrs. Porter referred to the previous meeting which was held last week, and at which the'wives of the officers of the National Reserve were present. Colonel Porter presided at this meeting, and explained the movement. It had been proposed, and seconded, that_ a women's branch bo formed in the, Wellington headquarters district, and 'those present formed themselves into an organising committee, the honorary district secretary being, authorised-to- call, a public' meeting . for furthering, .the object—the meeting which was held yesterday afternoon. . . "' _ After having, given an.outline or _ tno proceedings of this former meeting, Mrs. Porter then read the circular which set out in some detail the objects iu view ill forming the Women's Honorary Branch of the National Reserve. Briefly, these objects were, to assist m every possiblei way the existing National Reserve by including women s sections _in the scope of its activities, such, for instance, as clerical work, the St. John Ambulance and Nursing Services, signalling, cooking, path-finding, etc., and in every way to fit themselves for isc~ in or whatever emergencies may yet be brought forward by the war. By preparing V themselves beforehand they would be able to set'men free to go to the front should times of overwhelming stress arise. The annual subscription for • members (apart from donations) was to,be;ss.j?er a-nnum,.dating from March 31, 1915, and the cost, ot a badge, which would be 2s. It was hoped that branches would be formed in each of tho hradquarters of the following groups, viz.,. Wellington No. 5, Palmerston North No.; 6, Wanganui No. .6a, Napier' No. '7, Daunevirkff;N<v 7b, Gisborou No. 7c, and Taranaki No.. 8,-, as well as Island. Bay. and Hutt. These, honorary branches would consist of a lady president., secretary,- and three commitee -members. Local suDorganising committees .won d also De formed. ■ Enrolment imder-the honorary badge' did. riot entail ■ any active-duty upon membersv only so far as might_be voluntarily undertaken, nor did it afford any right to Sake. part. in . the administration of the. active branches. In reply to a considerable amount or discussion- which followed the reading of the circular, Dr. Platts-Mills further elaborated the scheme, and pointed out various ways in which it could do. excellent service in supporting the National Reserve, and of the active scope it offered for the patriotism of women. In answer to some outspoken criticism which was levelled at tho .movement. Dr. Platts-Mills also pointed out that all the, greater credit would accrue to the women who showed how well they could organise and combme; to prepare themselves tc face what might be the ■urgent needs of tho future. Mrs. Wilford proposed that' officers and - a committee be appointed at. the meeting instead of holding their .appointment over till another The proposal was seconded and earned, and the following were&lectcd pro item: —Dr. Platts-Mills, president; -Miss Ward; "secretary; . and-;Mesdames_Mat-thow -Holmes, Robinson,: -. and Henry Hall. : the committee.' ' The .-honorary district: secretary for the Wellington Military District is Mrs. Porter. Another meeting will he held very shortly.

Miss Alice ; Jackson has .returned to "Stonestead," Woodside, from' a visit to : friends in Masterton. \, ■.'. . ■, _

The Irish soldiers in. the . British Army on the Continent, '.are. displaying .the fighting qualities which the, race has ever manifested ill the past (says the New • York'i ''!Siin'o. : 'According- to best available - statistics in Ireland proper. 150,000 me:i have, enlisted,.while from other parts of the Empire, including . the colonies, ,115,000 -have joined the Army, making a grand total of over 265,000.; , V,

' Nurse Netties, of Masterton, has been appointed acting-matron of the Pahiatua Hospital until a - permanent successor to Miss Davis . is appointed. Nurse Matthews, also of Masterton, has been appointed charge nurse m succession to Nurse Gates.- : --

Mr. and Mrs. J. R-Roberts, of Dunedin, who have been visiting Napier, left on Monday on their return to the south'.