WOMEN’S PART

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 May 1941, Page 8

WOMEN’S PART

WAR AUXILIARY SERVICE ’ ORGANISATION NEEDED. CALL THAT WILL COME. At the annual conference of the Women’s Federation of Institutes held in Masterton yesterday afternoon an address was given by Miss A. Kane, Wellington, Dominion president, on the work of the Women’s War Auxiliary Service. Miss Kane prefaced her remarks by stressing the importance of keeping the Institute movement at full strength to enable it to play its part in the difficult problems associated with the rehabilitation of soldiers on active service after the war. There was an urgent need for women to fill the breaches made by men being called up for service. In England women were working in industry, as porters, conductors, land girls, and in a dozen other ways, in addition to taking part in auxiliary services. So far the necessity had not arisen in New Zealand but it was coming and it was necessary to make full preparation.

The object of the movement, said Miss Kane, was to get a regional register of women who would be available and would be prepared to give their services in the capacity best suited to their occupation. It was realised that women on the farm had their hands full and that they would best serve their country by remaining there.

“There is a definite need for a central authority,” said Miss Kane, in speaking of the necessity for the establishment of such an organisation in Masterton. She quoted examples of how the Women’s War Auxiliary could serve the community. At the Hutt a market gardener had been requested to grow beans, tomatoes and onions for canning and subsequent use by the Navy. Owing to a shortage of labour there was little prospect of harvesting the crop until the branch of the auxiliary gave its services and saved what would have been waste of essential food. The auxiliary had done the work voluntarily but the market gardener had paid the local Women’s War Auxiliary committee. The organisation was also part of the Emergency Precautions Scheme.

Miss Kane was accorded a vote of thanks for her address.