CONSCRIPTION OF WOMEN.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 April 1918, Page 4

CONSCRIPTION OF WOMEN.

MINISTER'S pctt-Y TO AUCKLAND OFFER. ■ By Telegraph.— 'Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The following leter has bten sent bj li i Minister of Internal Affairs to a «T tter from tlle Auckland branch of the Women's National Reserve:—"l Juwe to acknowledge r, , : ,t of your letter of April 15, coniirining your telegram of April 12, in regard to the question of conscripting women for national service- I need hardly assure you I greatly appreciate the loyal and partfctiu offer of your reserve, going so far aj it does as to invite the conscription of women. I have, however, to' point out to you that New Zealand is a pastoral country, and the employment of women as shepherds, musterers, and general farm hands is impracticable, and this is even more evident regarding coal (joining ' and shipping industries; Up to ithe present, bo far as the Government is concerned, the need of female la-bor to take the places of conscripted men has not become directly apparent. The employment of Second 'Division men and men Beyond military age has so far enabled the country to be carried on. The time is, however, coming when it will become necessary to turn to our women for assistance, and wbien that time does come the Government' will gladly avail itself of the assistance of your reserve.