WOMEN IN ARMED FORCES

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24043, 3 September 1943, Page 6

WOMEN IN ARMED FORCES

♦— ; investigation by GOVERNMENT STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF NATIONAL SERVICE An investigation into the use_ women in the armed services is, made by the Government, said the Hon. A. McLagan, Natioaal Service, in a statement to The Press yC No definite reduction in the nuinberof W.A.A.C.S., W.R.E.N.S., or W.AA.F.S,. had yet been decided, said Mr McLagan, but the uovernment had received requests from a'number of an inquiry should be made about what use the forces were making of women P Yt had been alleged that the services contained too many women for the work required of them, be said, and the Government was investigating th “lt shouicf be clearly understood that the employment of women in the services has resulted in a reauction 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 haa been received abdut 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. Everyboay assumes that the car is non-essen-tial 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 nm 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 invessurvey of the number of W.A.A.C.S, m offices and other similar military establishments in the Southern -Military District is being carried out. Statement By Mr Thom 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 for a review of the number of women in the services, and that the matter is . being taken up with the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), 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 also recommended the immediate cessation of recruitment tor the women’s branches of the services. Discussmg the shortage of factory manpower, the federation said: “Not only essential civilian production, but in some cases actual war production is threatened." An earlier statement on the same subject was made by the secretary-orga-niser of the Canterbury Progress League (Mr P. R. Climie), who emphasised the economy which might be effected if the issue of military uniforms could be confined to combatant personnel. The latest issue of “New. Zealand at War,” an official publication, gives the numbers .of serving women personnel at 3500 W.A.A.F.S., 4000 W.A.A.C.S., and 400 W.R.E.N.S. . An estimate of the material required for the uniform clothing discussed ,by Mr Climie was given to. “The Press” by a Christchurch manufacturing tailor. He said that it would take approximately 7000 yards of serge in a 54-incb 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: WAA.C.S.-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 uniforms for working, one battledress during recruit training of for work on battle stations, with boots and socks, one hat and one field service cap. one pair of gloves. No underclothes. W.R.E.N.S. -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. W.A.A.F.S. -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, two 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.