HER EXCELLENCY AND MRS. FRASER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 142, 17 June 1940, Page 9

HER EXCELLENCY AND MRS. FRASER.

Official Visits To Women's Service Corps.

"Left, left, left," the marching lines swing paet, keeping perfect step, to the rhythmic beat of the drum! Nothing new in that, you say, particularly in the Drill Hall, w.uch eo often re-echoes the beat of marc-iing feet. But you are wrong! It is not the men of the-Spccial Force, or even of the .Territorial Army, but the women of New Zealand's Women's Service Corps, who, like the women of the Army Auxiliary Corps in Great Britain, are keeping fit and learning something of discipline by submitting to regular training. Every Saturday these girls, in their smart khaki uniforms, parade""' at the Drill Hall, but usually no vieitors are admitted. Last Saturday was an exception, and to the girle a most thrilling one, for they were honoured bv two visits of inspection. First came Mrs. Peter Fraser, wife of the Prime Minister, and herself an enthusiast where woinen'rmovements are concerned, accompanied by Sir Erneet and Lady Davis, Mrs. M. M. Dreaver and Mrs. George, Mayoress of Huntly.

After the party had been welcomed bv the commanding officer, Major D. M. Hawkins, and the adjutant, Captain D. L. Edmunds, Sir Ernest Davis asked that members be permitted to stand at ease while he addressed them. "I do not want to labour the point," he said, "but you ali realise, as I do. that we are in desperate straits. While no one can doubt the ultimate outcome of the struggle, we must be prepared to put forward all our efforts, and we must bo prepared to make sacrifices. It is good to see that you women are willing, and that you ate already prepared." Mrs. Fraser, who "was also invited to address the girls, thanked them for what they were doing. "I did not know," she said, "that there were eo many of you working here in Auckland, or that you were preparing yourselves ho thoroughly for the time when your country has need of you. I have heard something of the work you have done already, and I hope to see similar bodies at work throughout New Zealand. It is terrible to think of the things that are happening on the other side of the world, and of the greatness of the struggle, but it is good to know that, like the women of England, you are willing to serve, and better to know that you are ready." Shortly after her talk, which received an ovation from the Corps, Mrs. Fras.er had to leave, as she was taking the three o'clock train to Wellington, but the day's surprises were by no means over. Hardly had the marching started again, under the approving eyes of the rest of the party, than another enr drew up. It was her Excellency Lady Galway. She watched the rhythmic marching for a few moments, as she chatted with the commanding officer, and then the parade was halted, while she spoke to the members.

Her Excellency said she felt honoured by the opportunity which had been given her to see the Corps at work. "I know," she added, "what valuable work the women in England have already been able to do, and I know that you will pi|ove yourselves in the same way. I hear that you have been in training for some months, and I have heard, too, of the work which you have been doing recently, and I am sure that your officers are to be congratulated on the smartness and efficiency of the Corps. I do not know what work you may be culled upon to do, but I feel sure that you will do it well, and in the right spirit, and that New Zealand will be very proud of you." Her Excellency also expressed the hope that she might have the pleasure of seeing similar groups of women at work in other parts of the country. The commanding officer then called for three cheers for her Excellency.