DEFENCE PLANS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 32, 8 February 1939, Page 5

DEFENCE PLANS

WOMEN MOTORISTS' PART TRANSPORT OF ( HI!.OREN VOLUNTEER SERVICE SCHEME Women motorists may play an important part in defence plans, as a result of proposals now under consideration in New ‘South Wales, states an Australian writer. Both for transport of trc ips and materials, and for com e- nee of civilians - particularly ch Idren to places of comparative safety in an emergency, private motor veh.c : es are taken into consideration by the military authorities. In peace time, the problem of organising such measures is rather complicated by the fact that while the Defence Department has authority in military matters, this does not tend to civilian affairs. Stepping into th? breach, the National Roads and Motorists’ Ass? ;a---t on has commenced to recru.t a motorists’ auxiliary corps to co-ope ; te with the military in defence plans. So far this is composed exclusively nf men, but the response by women to the association’s appeal has been such that the general secretary, Mr. H. I. Johnson, says it has prompted the association to consider seriously the formation of a women drivers’ auxiliary, and it is quite likely that action in this direction will be taken early this year. An example on similar lines already has been set by women in England. When the September crisis arose, and t renches were being dug in Hyde Park, the transport branch of Women’s Voluntary Services—a body which had been formed a few months before — v.as Already, under the leadership of Lady Iris Capell, building up a women drivers’ organisation to meet just such an emergency. There, defence plans include the use of women drivers to assist in towing trailer pumps to fires, for patrol work and various air-raid duties, for staff work, and for despatch, ambulance and lorry driving. Ability to drive without lights is an important qualification in duties of this kind, and the Women’s Voluntary Services put through batches of learners in this difficult task. Knowledge of streets and localities, obtained in the course of shopping expeditions, social calls, holiday tours, and motor contests, such as the motor treasure hunts, which became so popu-

iar in England recently, was particularly valuable in qualifying women drivers for the duties they might have • to perform. It may be taken for granted that i the course of events requires their ser I vices, women drivers in Australia wil respond with the same readiness aj they did in England.