VOLUNTARY WORKERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2807, 27 June 1916, Page 7

VOLUNTARY WORKERS

THEIR SERVICE AT BASE RECORDS. The opportunity was taken yesterday by the Minister of Defence (tlm lion. James Allen) and Major Norton Francis, Director of Base Records, to express thanks to those members ot' the Women's Branch of the National Reserve who, during a. strenuous period in the life of tho Base Records Department, had voluntarily and enthusiastically lent most valuable assistance.

Major Francis called a meeting of the many ladies concerned at tho new Base Records building yesterday -afternoon, for the purpose of deciding (if the; honorary workers purposed still offering their services) upon a working arrangement for the future. Majof Francis expressed at tho outset deep appreciation of the cervices that had been rendered' his department by the. ladies who had worked faithfully, and consistently at a time when tho office, was hard put to it to cope with the work.' Much of tho voluntary labour had been of necessity carried on at night, and a valuable service had been rendered not only to the Base Records, but tho next-of-kin of every soldier that had departed' from New Zealand. They had had difficulty in the matter of accommodation, but now in the now building. a special room had been provided. Major Francis assured the ladies that their assistance had been greatly appreciated by tho permanent staff. He explained that the meeting had been called with the objeot of considering what would bo the best means of carrying on. the voluntary work should tho ladies bo willing to continue. ■'. Mrs. Myers moved: "That all workers bo members of the Women's Branch of the National Reserve, which organisation will be responsible i'ov all voluntary work required." Tho motion was carried.-'. It was decided - that Mrs. Myers take charge of tho morning session and Miss Ward of tho evening session. :

It was decided, on the motion of Mrs. Myers, that all workers'will givo .two days' notice whon unable to attend, on their allotted day or will find, a substitute. The hours when work will be carried on wero fixed as follows: Mondays to Fridays, 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ... | . The Minister of Defence, who had arrived during tho meeting, took the opportunity of reviewing tho work dono by tho voluntary staff, - and to express to them the thanks that thoir efforts doserved. Ho did not think tho ladies fully realised how valuable their work hadbcon. They had laboured under difficulties,, especially in tho matter of accommodation, and he hoped that with, tho more, .suitablo quarters, and with a settled programme of' work things would, bo fully satisfactory. Ho knew that to those who could not do -lmttlo for their country an the trenches it, was a -sourco of satisfaction.- i:o know that service could bo rendered in another way. A certain .pleasure was no doubt to be got from coming • and doing tho dull and monotonous work that the ladies had done, when they knew that it was done for the soldiers at the front, and for the Empire. Ho thanked the ladies present for the service-they had 6o freely rendered to New Zealand.- • Tho formation of the-women's branch of tho National Rcservo was, he considered,' an excellent thing, for the time Was fast arriving- when thero would bo much more for tho women of Now Zealand to do. "By taking your share," concluded the Minister, "you help to keep the industries of the country in full swing." A- vote of thanks to the Minister for his encouraging words was carried; and at tho-invitation of Mr;-Allen tho meeting adjourned for afternoon.' tea'. ■?'