WAR WORK CLUB

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21195, 19 August 1940, Page 13

WAR WORK CLUB

SPECIAL SKILL EMPLOYED LIAISON WITH GOVERNMENT (Times Air Mail Service; LONDON. July 18 There is a new club in London for people who want to do some useful war work but cannot find any Government department to utilise their special skill or experience. It is called Civil Liaison, and its headquarters are in Hamilton Terrace, N.W. More than 2000 people belong to it. They include a Cambridge don, Harley Street specialists, the owner of the biggest chain of stores outside London, scientists, writers and actors. This membership, headed by Mr A. B. Cox—Francis lies, the crime writer—exists to link the gap between the individual member of the public and the Government departments, the Forces and other existing organisations. Already it has supplied voluntary workers to the Merchant Seamen’s Comforts Fund, the Red Cross Hospital Libraries and bookmending centres. Salvage Scheme An important salvage scheme, including the salvage of iron railings, is in operation, and a salvage committee is at work in Marlebone. Women canvass the houses in the day time and men remove the railings in the evenings. A poster, published by the Civil Liaison, will soon be seen on garden gates and in windows of houses in the London boroughs. It will depict an iron railing on one side and armaments on the other. On it will be printed: “We have given our railings for munitions. Will you give yours or get your landlord to do so?” Another committee, in the charge of Mr Edward Chapman, the actor, will arrange for stage and screen stars to visit military hospitals and to give concerts in munition factories during the lunch hours. They will also be asked to give public lectures, prepared by the Ministry of Information. in cinemas and theatres. Among the players who have promised help are Clive Brook, Peggy Ashcroft, Judy Campbell, Sebastian Shaw. Oliver Wakefield and Mabel Constanduros.

By compiling an indexed register giving details of every voluntaiy worker’s qualifications, the Civil Liaison is now able, in an emergency, to supply people with specialised or technical knowledge to any Government department. A research co-ordination committee has been set up to prepare and undertake research work to assist the Government, and to consider in detail any inventions and improvements which could be passed on to the Government with the backing of experts.