WOMEN'S WAR WORK

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 127, 31 May 1919, Page 7

WOMEN'S WAR WORK

THE LAND ARMY. 4 As early as the year 1915 the Minister of Agriculture, Lord Selborne, decided that Britain must appeal to women Ito come forth and help to fill the immense gaps left by the withdrawal of men from farms. The organisation of women's county agricultural committees was developed by the help of the Board of Trade and its women inspectors, the first of these being Miss Meriel Talbot, known in New Zealand as the organising secretary of the Victoria League, who contributes the facts of the' Land Army to the Queen. A women's branch of the Board of Trade was established, and the president handed over the organisation of the Land Army entirely to this branch. The Agricultural Committees did splendid work, and were well supported by the generosity and^zoal of the voluntary workers, of whom there have been about 13,000. "The main difficulties at the outset," says Miss Talbot, 'Svero the prejudices of the farmers, v)ho were naturally sceptical as to the value of this new" and untried kind of labour, and also to the fact that the kind of farm work which had been done by women had been very badly paid, and 'in. consequence had attracted the least educated and least respected class of women in the villages. Thus it was necessary at the outset to remove the widespread feeling that farm work was degrading to women." Another difficulty of magnitude had been the bad housing conditions in country places. The early work of recruiting local women soon had to be I increased, as the coping with providing I adequate food for the country and maintaining a. supply of labour and machinery proved an immense task. Therefore the Land. Army came into being, and was thoroughly well supported and encouragled by all departments of Government, ! Labour, National Service, and Army Clothing. The training of the women i proved, to be another 'problem. Women I with some, sort of skill were wanted as j quickly as possible; and a four or five weeks' test training was arranged to harden muscles, test character and strength, and give some idea of the use of farm implements and care of young stock. The Selection Committee had a very arduous task. Between 40,000 and 50.000 women presented themselves for work, and of those 16,000 were passed for field work, and many more for the Timber Supply and Forage Departments. A gratifying and somewhat unexpected result1 noiert is Ui« improved health and physique of a large number who were formerly employed in offices, shops, fac-. Tories, and domestic'service. "I am never going back to town" is a commonly expressed resolve, according to Miss Talbot. A special magazine -in connection with the work, the Landswoman, has been issued, and outward marks of good serivi'ce have been given, such as the stripes for . six months' service, the Good Service Ribbon for specially' fine conduct, and . the .Distinguished Service Badge for excentional acts of devotion and courage. The appointment of welfare officers wns a great1 success, and led to increased friendliness and happiness among the .girls, and many associations have opened their doors to 'these. workers and have added much to the comfort of their lives. Miss Talbot concludes by saying: "Great interest hns been shown by representatives from foreign countries in the organisation of the Land Army. Literature has been exchanged, and interviews held with representatives from fliQ United States, Japan, France, and Italy. Thus, in a short, space of time, the movement lias passed from the initial difficulties; the formers' prejudices have been largely overcome by the skill and devotion of the majority of the women; the idea that farm work is a degrading <?mr>loynipnt for women has been probably defeated for all time, and tho ■nevmanent position of women in 'agriculture in the form in which their service can bo of most value is wsurfid." Pictures aro shown of a group of girls in belted coals, knickers. iind putties, wit-b wide sensible boots and slouch hats, with several nlso of girls feeding v>;?s. ploughing, shearing, and carrying fodder—in mch case the photographs show thoroughly bright, healthy, happy workers.