THE KHAKI GIRLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1918, Page 8

THE KHAKI GIRLS.

HOW A GREAT MOVEMENT IS MAKING GOOD. TWKTR LIFE INT FRANCE. Who exempt the initiated, when they first saw (he appointments gazetted under Women's Auxiliary Army Corps in the early months of this year, dreamed what a mighty movement was toeing horn (says the Weekly Scotsman). Now, indeed, after six months it is feeling its feet, and one is able to look into the future and see it a fully-developed organisation with an unlimited vista hefore It. Tn France, at any rate, it has come to its own. The first draft of W.A.A.U'a which landed in France six months ago were welcomed by cheering Tommies. Later arrivals are received in a less demonstrative way, for the Army has accepted |the Women's Army.. Officers and administrators (the officer's rank in the W.AA.C.) are all on the 'best of terms with one another, One can imnghie how many wakeful hours were devoted to the question as Ito whether the men and women of the two Armies were to be allowed to associate, and if so, how. That this was decided sensibly, and that ns much freedom as possible within proper limits was granted, has, one ennnot doubt been a leading factor that is going to make for the success of the Women's Armv.

On all hands one !">ai-s tales of the friendly way in which the women ." being treated by the Army. Jfow at one camp they arc invited to sports, and special prizes given for the races, and a football field placed at their disposal fi>' hockey practice; at another concerts and entertainments arranged for them. But the women are not in France for fun, though they enjoy all they can get. They are over there to replace men who are fit for other work, and their arrival means a quicker end to the war, for when a woman takes a man's place at the Base, he goes to similar work near the line, and releases possibly another man for the trenches. The majority of women who have crossed the water so far as cooks and clerks and telephonists, with a small nnnvher of motor drivers, gardeners, and painters. Tn a tour of main- offices and depots, one heard much m-iise and few complaints. Everywhere, generally spealing, the women seemed to have given satisfaction, for the clerks who aiv sent out to the Armv are all trained women of several years' experience. As far as cooks are concerned, one heard that the desire for women was on the increase, for as soon as one mess found that the change meant an inprovement, the oilier messes in the same and surrounding camps wanted to make the experiment. A class of girl who has especially made good arc the telephonists and telegraphists.