FOR WOMEN WOMEN IN FORCES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 213, 8 September 1943, Page 5

FOR WOMEN WOMEN IN FORCES

GOVERNMENT INQUIRY

STATEMENT BY MINISTER

An investigation into the use of women in the armed Services is being made by the Government, said the Hon. A. McLagan, Minister of National Service, in a statement in Christchurch.

No definite reduction in the number of Waacs, Wrens, or Waafs, had yet been decided, said Mr. McLagan. but the Government had received requests from a number of sources that an inquiry should be made about what use the forces were making of women personnel.

It had been alleged that the Services contained too many women for the work required of tiiem, he said, and the Government was investigating these charges.

"It should be clearly understood that the employment of women in the Services has resulted in a reduction of the number of men required," he added. In anti-aircraft batteries, for example, the reduction was one for one. Similarly, in clerical duties and the catering services, one woman replaced one man. In certain other jobs women were not so efficient as men. In these circumstances, it might take three women to replace two men.

He acknowledged that complaints had been received about women drivers of Army cars. "Of course," he said, "this is the sort of thing that strikes the popular imagination, because the cars are seen on the streets. Everybody assumes that the car is non-essential and that the officer who is being driven is going for a ride." This was not true, although there might be occasional cases where an unnecessary journey was made.

It was necessary to remember that these women did not only drive the cars; they also serviced them, and it was impossible for an officer to service his car and do his own work at the same time.

At the moment, he would make no more definite statement, said Mr. McLagan. The subject was being investigated.

Statement by Mr. Thorn

A further statement on the subject has come from the Prime Minister's office through Mr. James Thorn, M.P., in a letter answering points raised by the New Zealand Manufacturers' Federation.

Mr. Thorn says he agrees that the time has probably arrived for a review of the number of women in the Services, and that the matter is being taken up with the Minister of Defence and the Minister of National Service.

Conceding that the replacement of men by women was desirable where it could be carried out efficiently, the federation had said there were already "indications that more women have been taken into the forces than can be efficiently employed." On the other hand, empty benches and idle machines in factories could usefully be employed in the production of "substantially increased quantities of urgently needed civilian requirements." The federation recommended the immediate cessation of recruitment for the women's branches of the Services.

The latest issue of New Zealand at War, an official publication, gives the numbers of serving women personnel at 3500 Waafs, 4000 Waacs, and 400 Wrens.

j An estimate of the material i required for the uniform clothing was given by a Christchurch manufacturing tailor. He said that it would take approximately 7000 yards of serge in a 54-inch width to supply one dress uniform and one overcoat to 1000 women.

Women's Uniform Issue The uniform issue to the personnel of the three Services is as follows: Waacs.—One khaki serge jacket and skirt and one top coat made to measure, three shirt-blouses, two ties, two pairs of shoes, three pairs of stockings (first issue), two khaki drill uniform for working one battledress during recruit training or for work on battle stations, with boots and socks, one hat and one field service cap, one pair of gloves. No underclothes.

Wrens. —Two navy serge jackets and skirts, made to measure, one raincoat, one overcoat, two hats, two pairs of shoes, three pairs of stockings, three shirts, one tie, two overalls, one pair of leather gloves, one pair of woollen gloves, nine collars, one navy cardigan. No underclothes.

Waafs. —Two blue uniforms three shirt - blouses, a tie, hat, beret, three pairs of hose (replaced when worn), two pairs of shoes, heavy, coat, raincoat, lining for raincoat, one blue cardigan. one pair brown kid gloves, wool for knitting own gloves, iwo smocks for special duties, battledress for transport staff, one pair gym. shoes for sports. Supply own underclothing. The respective lists were supplied by headquarters of the three Services.