WOMEN AND THE WAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 January 1941, Page 8

WOMEN AND THE WAR

A NEW ORGANISATION AUXILIARY TO AIR FORCE. — ANNOUNCEMENT BY PREMIER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.! WELLINGTON, This Day. i The Government has approved of ■ the formation of a Women's Auxiliary ] Air Force to undertake fulltime duty |at Air Force stations. Making this anI nouncement in an interview last, night. ; the Prime Minister. Mr Fraser, said I that a start was being made at the Air ; Force station at Rongotai, and that the ; scheme would be extended to other t stations wherever practicable. i "In Britain during the last war woi men played a big part in the auxiliary j establishments associated with. the three branches of the fighting forces. : and in the present conflict their activij ties have been expanded enormously," s said Mr Fraser. "Among these are ■ the Auxiliary Transport Service j ( A.T.S.». the Women's Royal Naval 'Service <W.R.N.S.i, and the Women's Air Force <W.A.A.F.I. At i the outbreak of war the establishi ment of the W.A.A.F. was 2000 officers hind 11.000 other ranks. The work of jthe women's force covered duties with j office* communications, telephonists. ] kitchen stalls, corps and mechanical i transport drivers. and they have won high praise by their strong sense ofi ;duty and outstanding capacity. "Tiie duties of the force in the Do- ’ minion will be similar in general 'character as far ;.;s conditions in this ; country demand. The question of how far the services of women can be , utilised in some of the army and naval , training establishments is under coni sideration. I "Through the formation of the Wo- j j men's Auxiliary Air Force in the Dominion in the first instance, opportunity will bo offered to qualified women to assist more directly in the Dominion's war effort, and in association with the air force which has built up . such a fine record of discipline and ; achievement. Women who wish to i serve with the Women's Auxiliary Air I, < Force are required to apply through ithe nearest branch of the Women's 'War Service Auxiliary.”