WITH THE KHAKI GIRLS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 41, 16 February 1918, Page 17

WITH THE KHAKI GIRLS.

WHAT "OLD HANDS" THINK OP WOIIEN'6 ARMY.

The work of th« khaki girls l n France lias been earning a large measure of welldeserved praise from those "on high" iv the Army. Their coming Tvas the occasion for -many a sniff on the part of the "old lands" among the fighting forces, but their prejudice soon gave way to real adoiiration when the ladies got to work. The

"signals" are one branch of the Women's Army >who have given a good account of themselves at the front. The signal service comprises everything from wireless to Sxing: a carrier pigeon, but the women's branch of it is confined to the telegraphists and telephonists. They are perhaps the most skilled workers of the "W.A.A.C.. for Practically without exception they have teen for five or six years members of the postal service In England, and have been specially recommended by the PostmasterGeneral In England.

Not only is skUl required, bat also discretion, for much valuable Information may pass through their hands. As a matter .«f fact, they hay« to sign a paper declaring that they will not talk about their ■work outside their office, and according to the evidence of administrators In hostels, no instances In -which this promise is Jimfcen are on record.

The plucky behaviour of the telephone and telegraph women daring the air raids OQ them mncii praise In Friinco as io England. Ancnt tills the Chief Controller of the W.A.A.C. tells the following story:— "In one of the toases a very bad raid took Place, but our ivomen remained at the Exchange, and Rot their calls through in record command.

"The officer in command, recognising their plnck. said they onght to be mentioned in Orders. The higher authority Promptly replied: 'We do not mention men for devotion to duty In such circumstances, and therefore we do not propose to ■mention members of the W.A.A.C., who show a similar devotion.' " This Is a Proof to those who doubt It that the are really a branch of the and are considered as such.