WOMEN WAR WORKERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 February 1916, Page 8

WOMEN WAR WORKERS.

, (To the Editor.) Sir,—On all sides, from town and country alike, comes the sad news ttiat women are falling off in their work for the soldiers. We are told that our great General expects the war to last at least another eighteen months. Are we women who, in a burst of patriotic enthusiasm and pride in our boys, undertook to provide comforts for them, going now to desert our colors? Our men look to us for home comforts. It is not too much to give at least one day a week, or a little money, or perhaps to sacrifice a race-meeting or a croquet party for the sake of those who are risking their lives for us. A few peculiar-minded male creatures are, I believe, advising their lady friends to cease "giving" and "working." Neither money nor work is necessary they declare, i trust most of our women will be too sensible and kind-hearted to heed these pro-German agitators', and that ftiey will be steadfast in their patriotism to the end, and so be worthy to be placed on a level with the Anzac die-hards. The following extracts . from a Wellington paper are so applicable to the present conditions here, and are so deserving 'of note that they must carry conviction | even to the shallowest-minded. "A noted woman war worker says. 'The biggest tragedy of this war would come to pass if we at home were not worthy of it."' Unfortunately, there are so many of us not worth fighting for. We are slackers and cowards. Some of lis are growing rich out of tile war, yet we neither work for our soldiers .nor provide funds to help others to work. We take all willi greedy, grasping hands, and give back nothing. Again, the writer asks: "Do we lack the stayingpower that should belong to all British women, or are we merely weary already of well-doing? or indifferent to the sufferings of our noble defenders? The men cannot rest, and there is stiFl the same clear call for help from everyone—if we turn deaf ears, then shame be to all of us. Everyone can help, every sock counts, for every muffler and balaclava there is a man waiting, and for I every mitten a frozen hand is ready. Let some of the warmth of this beautiful summer be sent across the seas to those whose need is great. This slackening of supplies is exactly what the enemy is hoping for—he is' counting 011 warweariness to help him to triumph over us." And we slackers are playing into the enemy's hands most carefully now. The article concludes with a passage from a soldier's letter. " 'I am wearing three pairs of socks and still, my feet are like ice. Don't forget more socks.'" Surely, when we read these words, and also the letters that tell of semi-starva-tion—the longing for a little butter—for just a little sauce to help down the everlasting bully beef—a little good jam in place of the detestable mixture so-called, our hearts must weep, and we must resolve to do our utmost to help. If we render service now how proud and happy we shall feel when all is through, to know that we have at any rate done our best. Have I said enough to cause our women to ask themselves, Am I helping as I should? Am I making some little sacrifice to prove my gratitude, under God, to the self-sacrificing men and women at the front, who are so steadfastly serving me and mine? Worse than all, to those who think, is the callousness of the confirmed pleasureseeker at this period of the world's stress—it is revolting and intolerable, I wish fhat someone with an eloquent pen would try to reach the hearts o( these poor blind men and women, for I am afraid that is beyond me. I ain not a writer.--1 am, etc., ONLY A WOMAN.