PATRIOTIC WOMEN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2595, 18 October 1915, Page 2

PATRIOTIC WOMEN

ORGANISING FOR WAR WORK

THE NATIONAL RESERVE

A deputation of members of tho Women's Branch of the National Reservo. waited upon the Prime Minister ami the Hon. G. \\ r . Russell for the purpose of offering the services of tho members of this reserve to the Govern-' nient for voluntary work of all kinds: and to ascertain the intentions of the Government with regard to the national registration of women. Dr. Platts-Mills, Mrs. Hall-Thompson, and Miss G. Ward represented the reserve. J)r. Platts-Mills, president of the society, said that the women were so enthusiastic in their patriotic desire to help that they had already begun organising and classifying themselves in order to be ready to answer any call that might bo made in the future. This work was being carefully and capably done, and women were offering their services freely. During tho last four weeks more than 1000 women had enrolled, offering themselves to do any work that a woman was capable of doing in order to assist the Government, and to set free for active service men who would otherwise be obliged to remain in New Zealand. Already branches existed in AYellington and suburbs, the Hufcfc, Jolmsonville, Petone, Karori, Ivhandallah, Hataitai, Wadestown, Gisborne, Napier, Dannevirke, Palmerston North, and Nelson. Christchurch people were communicating with the Wellington executive, and hoped to immediately begin on similar lines; indeed, it was hoped that the largo centres would shortly all be working in unison. The expenses of printing, advertising, rent of offices, etc., necessitated a 6inall fee being paid by members, but this was cheerfully done. The executive felt, however, that, In view of the fact that the Government would register free of charge, they were not justified in asking more members to join unless they were assured that the women's reservo would be recognised by tho Government and its services availed of. Thpir desire, was to assist the Government and to avoid the overlapping that must take place unless the Government scheme ana that of the women themselves were practically identical in working, as they are in their object. Replying, Mr. Massey stated that ho was very favourably impressed with the women who had come forward to offer their services, and he considered that the reserve would be a valuable adjunct to tho Government in carrying out its own plans for registration. Mr. Russell, as Minister in charge of all arrangements for the National Register, said that Iris Department would not undertake the registration of women until that of men was completed— lie hoped, in December. He would then communicate with the Women's National Reserve, and would be glad of its help. Although the time had not yet arrived, it was quite possible that' it might become ncccssary to introduce women into branches of work at present carried out exclusively by men; but ho was quite convinced that it was the right thing to prep'aro beforehand for possible contingencies, and therefore he was about to undertako tho registration of women as he had stated. He advised the executive to koop its organisation together, <md be. prepared early iu tho Now Year to assist the Government to carry out the work which they would then bo prepared to do, in ways in which such help could be of inestimable value. Mr. Russell suggested work which the reserve might do at once, not exactly that for which it exists, but work which would bo valuable to the country.

Tlis executive cheerfully promised to undertake the suggested work, and to do all iu their power to help when called upon. In reply to a question, it was stated that members of the reserve arc already working in the Defence Department—in the morning and evening—assisting in the work of altering tlie records.