WOMEN’S WAR WORK.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 July 1919, Page 4

WOMEN’S WAR WORK.

ITS EFFECT UPON CHARACTER

Every week the need for patriotic work is diminishing, and group after group of women and girls, who for nearly five years have worked day, and often night as well, in and out of season, are resting on tlieir oars, so to speak (says the Melbourne “ Argus ”). One wonders, after such a long time pf strenuous effort, what effect it has had on the characters of those who have given such willing service. In ordinary circumstances in five years a girl could have begun and completed her medical course at the uuiversity, or she could have qualified as a lawyer, while as a nurse she could not only have accomplished her training, but could have given at least a year and a half to military nursing. Such education and teaming as any of these professions entail must help to develop and form character, and as many girls and women have worked as untiringly, both physically' and mentally, as ordinary university students, it is evident that the labour so willingly given has helped to develop the best characteristics.

There are hundreds of girls who, up to the time of the war, had no idea of giving a helping hand to those in poorer cii’cumstances than themselves.' If by chance their sympathies were J touched, they reported the case to their mothers. But the voluntary aid detachment movement has wrought marvels in showing girls how they personally can be of use. When the Red Cross Rest Home at Wirth’s Park was first opened the desire to do work there for the soldiers was regarded by many a 3 a fashionable craze, but as time went on, when girls, who in times of peace never left their bedrooms until the day was well advanced, turned up from the distant suburbs, morning after morning, year after year, by the first trains and trams, it was recognised that this was no passing hobby. Such perseverance and devotion stood for selfdenial and sacrifice, and the truth of this has been proved again and again.

Since the outbreak of influenza dozens of the Y.A.D. girls and women have gone into afflicted homes of the poorest type, in order to give help. Many of these girls had never seen serious illness before and certainly the majority had never assumed such responsibilities. At the Red Cross kitchen lessons in thrift and in organisation have been learnt by women, both old and yrnung. who, incidentally, have assimilated a knowledge of the value of food in sickness, and also when strength and vigour have to be maintained. For instance, they have learnt that the water rice or barley is boiled in will make the foundation of nourishing soup, or, with the addition of lemon-juice, will make a nourishing drink, and, above all, they have learnt the principles of “no waste.”

11l the great patriotic movements which embrace the Red Cross and the Australian Comforts Fund the outstanding feature of the work was that it brought all sections of the community into touch. Girls, and also elderly women, who by reason of their upbringing and surroundings had lived exclusive lives, have found, sometimes to their expressed amazement, that people in other walks of life had the same likes, dislikes, and interests as themselves. On the other hand, those who had formerly regarded these exclusive individuals as being snobs of superior quality have discovered that the aloof manner was, as often as not, assumed, to cover nervousness. In any case, it is a fact that apparently firm friendships have been formed between people who, but for the patriotic spirit, would have never “ discovered ” each other.

It is too soon yet to say whether the industrious habits of the perpetual knitter, and the untiring shirt and pyjama maker will last, or | that the practice of thrift and economy gained in saving waste products, such as old newspapers, empty tins, bottles, and so on will have any abiding effect. Nevertheless, no one can doubt, for the time being at least, that, without being exalted to any extreme height, the war work which women took upon themselves willingly enottghis being reluctantly laid down, for the simple reason that those who have gone on with it have felt the better for doing so.