WOMEN’S WAR SERVICE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 249, 18 September 1940, Page 11

WOMEN’S WAR SERVICE.

CONSOLIDATION OF EFFORTS. MRS H. ATMORE’S. VISIT. A very largo attendance filled the Little Theatre last evening, when Mrs H. Atmore, lion, organiser of the Women’s War (Service Auxiliary, described the. scheme for consolidating the women’s war efforts of'the Dominion. The Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) presided, and also on the platform were the Mayoress, Mr H. H. Sterling (representing the Minister of National Service), and Mrs Church (originator of tho women’s war service movement in Auckland). Mr Mansford welcomed the visitors. He emphasised, the fact that the British Empire was engaged in a life and death struggle, and said the Government had asked Mrs Atmore to undertake the organisation of the women’s part in the national effort. Mr Sterling conveyed an apology for absence from the Minister of National Service (Hon. R. Semple), whom he represented, and urged that everyone should co-operate in his work. When Mr Semple had taken up fie. Ministry he had immediately made a survey of the war effort. Ho had found that a largo proportion of the civilian effort was being carried on by the women, but though good work was being done individually there was no national organisation. To-day nations were at war, not armies only, and the best organised nation was the one which would win. Therefore, the .Dominion must bo organised so that nothing was left to chance. There was no need for dismay if everyone collaborated and sunk small differences. The only difference that counted to-day was the difference with Hitler.

Mr Sterling went on to describe bow Dr. Agnes Bennett, as leader of a group of women, bad appealed to the Government to take over the women’s organisation. Naturally, a national movement must be controlled by the State, but las much as possible the Minister wished the organisation to remain in the hands of the women. Mr Sterling described the inauguration of the movement and the invi-| tation to Mrs Atmore to carry out the | organising work, which she was doing in a purclv honorary capacity. The, audience sang “Land of Hope and Glory,” after which the Mayor iiittoduced Mrs Atmore. THE CAUSE OF SERVICE. Mrs Atmore said that all present had met together in the cause of service to trie Empire in trie hope that peace would once more be brought to the world. She contrasted conditions today with those in 1914. In the last- war there were relatively few women’s organisations, except the Plunket Society, but now there were numerous organisations in every town. Until quite recently not one of the women’s war organisations had received official recognition. Mrs Atmore described the inaugural conference in Dunedin, held in order to convince the Government that women wanted recognition, She paid a tribute to the indefatigable work of Mr Sterling, who had attended the conference and had undertaken a great deal since. The aims and objects of the Women s War Service Auxiliary were to co-or-dinate existing organisations, and to avoid overlapping and to develop schemes as the need arose, or better* as the need was foreseen. The thud object was probably the most attractive. Mrs Atmore described the scheme for women assisting in industry, on 1 * aim of which was riot to enter into competition with factory girls blit to work side by side with them under the same rules. Another scheme which, it was hoped to encourage was'horticulture. In Wellington and Christchurch this was progressing well. A number of city councils had spare pieces of land where vegetables could be grown for camps and institutions, of for future export to Britain if need be. There was also a land army. It was quite evident to-day that farmers did not want women oil tlic land, but many would like to be ready for any emergency. Training centres should be established with training in all branches of farming and with a physical culture and welfare department. Girls should also be prepared to give domestic help to farmers’ wives. Other schemes could come into being as the organisation developed. Suggestions would be put forward and would be considered in a practical light. The organisation was non-eectarian and non-political. The committee had appealed, to the Government simply because it was the supreme authority, not for any political reason. Non-sectarian did not mean that the movement was non-religious. Religion was very necessary to-day.

FRAMEWORK OF COMMITTEES. Mrs Atmore explained that a convener was elected in each centre to call a meeting of delegates ,of all organisations to elect a district committee of nine, with three nominations reserved for the Government. It was lioped that the mayoresses in all centres would be recognised as patronesses. Mrs Atmore explained the card index system for workers which would be kept in Wellington, so that work could bo organised quickly and efficiently. Mrs Atmore said she had been asked" where the Red Cross came in. It came under the Health Department, but with the Plunket Society and other valuable service organisations its members were asked to sign the registration cards, not so that they would be called up, 'but. so that they would be left where they were to continuetheir useful work. Women who were not members of organisations . were asked to join one. Mrs Atmore paid a tribute to the work of knitters and workers for refugees, but said it was just as necessary for them to be organised as well as everyone else. In answer to a question by the Mayor, Mrs Atmore said it had been 'found inadvisable to set fixed boundaries for the areas of the centre committees. The committees would work side by side with the patriotic zone committees and in harmony with them. The Government would supply finance if necessary, but it was hoped that the women would prove to be economical. Existing organisations would be undisturbed, and committees were recommended to call round-table conferences and discuss suggestions. Mr Sterling said that organisations with less’than 50 members could nominate one delegate, and those with over 50 two delegates. Miss M. Grant was asked toi act as convener for the district meeting, and accepted the position. Mrs M. D.ymock moved that a district committee of trio Women’s War Service Auxiliary be formed and this was carried unanimously. The Mayor moved a vote of thanks to Mrs Atmore and Mr Sterling, which was accorded.

Prior to the meeting, the members of the Manawatu Auxiliary Service Corps marched in procession through the Square to the Opera House, with the Manawatu Pipe Band at their head. There were about 100 ; girls in trio procession, many in. uniform, and tliey made" a fine impression. ", ’•