ARMY OF 400,000 WOMEN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2754, 25 April 1916, Page 2

ARMY OF 400,000 WOMEN

' The proposal to recruit a large, army of women for agricultural work is being viewed by the farmers' of SouthWest Lancashire with a questioning and critical eve. While admitting that the problem of farm labour has becomfl alarmingly acute in consequence of the war, and that with the calling up of all Single men, it will assuredly become even more insistent for remedial measures, yet, so far as this part of ,thc country is concerned, they are by no means confident that a solution will be 'found in the organisation of a vast army of women workers. 11l districts' where general dairy farmimt' 'forms, an important part of agricultural labour, the employment of; a corps of w'oJiien mar meet the difficulty, but ill a district of purely arable farming such as South-West Lancashire. it is thought , questionable .whether women would be found suitable for the work. * • . 'Die f'rmers. however, appear to be quite willing to give, the' experiment their 'sympathetic attention, and to.do everything possible towards training anv women who may volunteer. The difficulty which faces fanners in South-■\A\-st Lancashire is in finding accommodation. for the workers. 1

Tho British Government has 'decided to take steps to emphasise the appeal for women to work ci! the _ land by organising a recruiting campaign on popular lines. It is proposed (says the "Daily News") that an annlet shall bo issued to women who are willing to undertake farm work,and that they shall be entitled to wear a speeial- uniform., Ever.v village in the country will be canvassed by members of women's jjpjnmittcos appointed'for each county, and all those who volunteer trill be registered and given an armlet. The uniform, which consists of. coat and _skj> r t. stout Soots, and gaiters,-will be issued at.a low wholesale prico as soon as the agricultural recruits are called up. _ Already 250,000 men have been withdrawn from agriculture, and it is anticipated that a further 100,000 will be callcd up under the Derby scheme. .In a few months practically only the starred men, the shepherds and ploughmen, and others whose skill and experience make'thein iqdisiiensable will remain. If the agriculture of the country is to be carried on without lessening of production it is essential that an army of at least 400,000 women should be mobilised.