CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 171, 22 July 1942, Page 4

CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

WOMEN DEFENDERS

(To The Editor)

The idea of women taking up positions in the armed forces, except in auxiliary organisations, is not only unwelcome to many men, but absolutely repugnant to most women, at least the right thinking type. Military camp life is not at all suitable for women, physically or morally. A soldier's life is of necessity a hard one and while we. may and do excuse many lapses in our boys as a result of their lives in camp, it seems too much to ask us to view with complacence the probable ruination of our girls, the future mothers of New Zealand. Woman—the word itself denotes wifehood, motherhood, home and comfort, not guns, noise, blood and slush. Women are already doing wonderful work, and there is still plenty more for them to do. The essential industries are begging for help, and the nursing profession has far more vacancies than can be filled by voluntary aid; can't the Government see that these positions are fully satisfied before sending women to anti-aircraft posts or coastal batteries. In the case of the military authorities not being able to carry on without help from women, can we be assured that these women will be kept on the mainland and in as much comfort as any camp can possibly provide? One cannot help feeling that mothers already grieving and worrying over sons in the armed forces are being asked to do enough, without the extra worry of a well and delicately nurtured daughter sharing the hardships and privations of a military camp. NO AMAZON.