WOMEN'S NATIONAL KESERVL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2776, 20 May 1916, Page 11

WOMEN'S NATIONAL KESERVL

REGISTRATION OE WOMEN. Last session the Registration Act I passed,. by wliilchi Parliament decided that both men and womon were to bo ! registered for national service—men for omistmoiit purposes, vromcu to carry on the work of the country during the ab- ; senco of tlie men. Tho responsibility for : administering the Act rests upon tho Hon, ; G. W. Russell. Hp decided to complete tuo registration of men- before beginning that of the women. This Ims I>eeu done, and, truo to his promiso and that of tho Government, Mr. Russell is now prepared to register women for national service. He lias decided that this shall be done on special lines, in accordance with the' demand for women workers in any ono branch of work. For instance, there is at the present time a distinct shortage of skilled clerical workers. To meet the demand, the women of Wellington, particularly those who have no other special occupation, aro being asked to come forward and take positions Either as shorthand-typiste.-t, typiat&s, or clerks. They will 1m asked to go through a preliminary test, and, if not already 'trained, to attend classes. Should the scheme be successful in Wellington, the Minister will arrange for it to be extended immediately to the other large centres and secondary towns. The oiler of tho Women's National Reserve to carry out' the scheme lias been i accepted. Tho registration cards a.re 1 leacly, and next week will lie procurable 1 '.at all post offices in Greater Wellington, • as well ;\s from tho office of tho Women's National Reserve, 157 Eeatherston Street (between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily), aud all branch ioimnittees. j.-' Yesterday morning a well-attended en- \ thusiastic meeting of. executive officers was held, when plans were formed for a ■prompt and thorough canvassing of the city and suburbs for clerical! workers, of * whom a large number 'have already been 1 llaced .in positions by the reserve, apart eiftojjßthor from this new schemed No feo 4:k to be charged for the Government registration. It is felt that every qualified !n xwnan now should represent a recruit for active service; for, with .qualified.women ay.flflaWe, no employer /Kiould retain- in kisVierrice a man eligible for the front.

iU.',vcry pleasant afternoon was spent at the -u'esideneo of Mrs. Donoghue, Esplanad ej oil Wednesday,, in connection with tho '• W.C'.T.U.. Mrs. Rowse (president) occu (lied the chair. The Rev. Mr. Evans gave' a very interesting address, upon Tern] ierance, -which everyone present enjoyed . There -were nrnsical items, and reciuiti ons were given by Mesdawes Hope and i 'Jple. Afternoon tea was handed round ".by the hostess. A hearty vote of thanks': was accorded to Mrs. Donoghne for this,enjoyable time which was passed by these present. ...

An. entertainment in.snpport of one of the Pe.'wno "Rosebud" candidates (Miss D. wrt sit) was held at the Empire Theatre las it ovening. There , was a good attendance, and the programme was well received. During the evening the drawing' of a picture under the supervision of the local police took place, the winner being Mr.i C. Morri6, of Lower Hutt. The eu. fageinent is announced of Miss Effie Hayiier, of the Department of Labour, Mas fcerton, .to Mr. Archie Dixon; of the firiri. of .Messrs. M'Gruer and Co., Masterton. ■' Mr. Dixon enlisted for active servicn, but wa srejecteil as medically unlit.