WOMEN'S NATIONAL RESERVE.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1920, Page 6

WOMEN'S NATIONAL RESERVE.

IT'S ACTIVITIES DESCRIBED. NEXT WEEK'S CONFERENCE. MEETINGS IN NEW PLYMOUTH. The conference of the Women's National Reserve of New Zealand, which takes place in New Plymouth next week, is a:i event of some importance, not only to members of the organisation, but to the whole Dominion, and New Plymouth in particular should appreciate the honor of entertaining the delegates on this occasion.

The war brought many new organisations which carried out essential services in connection with various phases of war activities. Some of them have "had their day and ceased to be." It was thought at one time that with the finish of the war would come an end to the necessity for the Women's National Reserve, which sprang into being from the needs created by war conditions. This, however, is not the case, and, as the report to the last Dominion Conference stated, new conditions had revealed new opportunities and responsibilities, and those who have guided the destinies of this most useful institution decided to summon the representatives of ail centres together and the instant and unanimous decision was to continue the work, and assist in the reorganisation and reconstruction of the affairs of the country.

Tips, then is the present purpose of the Reserve, the constitution of which was somewhat altered last year to adopt it to the changed conditions. With its motto "Each for All" always before it, this organisation of women, whiph. includes amongst its members some of the foremost of the war-workers of the Dominion, may be relied upon to play a very important part in re-moulding the life of the community. The Re,serve is an exceedingly wellorganised institution, consisting, for administrative purposes of a Dominion Council, district centres, sub-centres and local branches. It is divided into two sections—the activo division and the honorary division. The former is o|)en to all persons above the age of 1C who are British subjects. There is also provision for juvenile branches, including those under Hi years of age. The work of the division is very wide-embracing as will be gathered from the following sub-divisions of the section: — Voluntary Clerical Workers: This section did a vast amount of work during the war period, especially in* the Base Records office. Others did equally good service in other departments. ■(Memorial Graves Committee: This committee worked, very hard for some time, and eventually was instrumental in securing ground for a memorial cemetery at Karori, Wellington, and has had it so designed as to j.mko it one of the most beautiful ill the Dominion. This is one. of the most useful services that could have been performed for the people of the Dominion, and the Reserve is doing a work of inestimable value in seeing that the graves of soldiers and sailors buried in various parts of New Zealand are properly cared for.

The Girls' Club Section has done a good deal in the direction of teaching sick nursing, classes having been arranged and training given. This section also attends to thr- placing of flowers on soldiers' graves: There are two juvenile branches of the Reserve in Taranaki —one at the New Plymouth Girls' High School and one at Stratford', and both these branches had given splendid service on many special occasions. The objects of the Reserve are such as can be subscribed to by every loyal citizen. In the terms'of their constitution they are: To loyally serve King and country in all emergencies, in time of peace or war, where patriotic service can be rendered. To co-operate and assist in all movements for the benefit and general welfare of women and girls, especially the wives and mothers, dependents and relatives of sailors and soldiers afflicted and affected by the Great War.

From this it will be seen that there is room for every wosian to take a part in promoting the interests of her fellow country-women.

The Honorary Division affords) a plate for those who desire .to associate themselves with the movement; but who cannot undertake the special obligations of active membership. They are organised to co-operate with and assist the Active Division where possible, to continue the social intercourse and entertainment of mothers of soldiers aiul sailors, and to assist any who may require special guidance.

The Medical Service Division consists of persons who enrol for service and instruction with a view to doing nursing and medical service in emergencies. The National Mothers' Help Division is designed to band together in a voluntary union all those women who are prepared personally :to aid in relieving the burdens of mothers and families. Broadly speaking, these are the lines upon which the Reserve is to carry on its work, and they show without doubt that those who are in the organisation must be women of broad sympathies and high ideals. Their presence, therefore, in New Plymouth during next week is an important matter, and must have an uplifting influence upon the community. New Plymouth should honor these war workers, who are prepared to continue their organised effort for the welfare of their fellows, and to be prepared to step into the breach when emergencies may call for immediate action.