WOMAN'S WORLD

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3162, 14 August 1917, Page 3

WOMAN'S WORLD

- fy— (Continued from page 2.) SOLDIERS' WIVES CLUB TO BE FORMED FOR SOCIAL PURPOSES AND WORK Yesterday afternoon a' public meeting called by the Women's .National tiesvi-ro .was held in the Concert Chamber of Uie lown Ball to consider the formation of a club for wives and donendaute of soldiors and sailors. Dr. Platts-Mills (president of the Women's National Jioserve) presided, and association with her upon the platform were the Hon. G. W. Russell, Mrs. Massey, lady Ward, Mrs. Bussell, the Mayoress (Mrs. J. P. Luke), Mr. Statham, M.P., Mre. F. Porter (organising secretary for New Zealand), and representative members of the Reserve. Before calling upon the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. G. W. Russell) to speak, Dr. Platts-Mills briefly placed the proposal before the audience, after having given a few facts as to what had already been accomplished by tho Reserve in the matter of war work. Close upon 10,000 women.iad been organised ready to take the places of men who had gone to the front. It would be readily understood, however, . that to make this part of their work (a part which they had kept steadily in view) successful, the co-operation of employers was needed, and a demand for the services of women necessary. Till tlim demand for their services tras made by employers women had to mark, time, Whoa it came it would be found that they were ready and eager. The reason why this new scheme was brought forward was to be found in the fact that many women whose husbands had gone to the war were left exceedingly lonely with few, if any, friends to take z kindly interest in their welfare. It was for other women to befriend them, to meet them, and to show a human interest in t tlieir lot. To do tliat the ritizens of Wellington were being asked to provide them ■with a place wliere they could meet members of the executive and friends and find fvmpathy and practical hell) in their difficulties. It was proposed that various sections should be maintained in connection with this club, including:—(l) A Sewing Guild, where their own material might be bropght, and where they might bs shown how to cut, make, and repair garments. (2) A Creche, whdro the children who must necessarily come out with their mothers might be cared for, and where it was hoped later to receive the ohildren of wives who mu3t go but to daily work. (3) A Voluntary Aid Section, from'which holpers might visit the homes of wives who desire a heTp, but who found it impossible to go to the club. Dr. Platts-Mills stated that an ideal to whioh the organisers of the scheme were looking forward wns the establishment of e. residential hostel, run on simple, self-supporting lines, for wives •vlio wished to come to Wellington while their husbands were in camp.

The Hon. G. "W. Kussell, -who was| next' asked to speak, brought forward the following motion:—"That this meeting heartily approves and endorses tho action of the Women's National Keservo In initiating the movement to form clubs for the -wives of soldiers and sailors, and will support it in every way." In speaking to the motion, the Minister expressed his great sympathy with the scheme propounded by the reserve. Hβ thought that no consideration was too great to show to tho wives of the men who were making such sacrifices in going to fight for their country. Mrs. Porter, the organising secretary of the W.N.R., had proposed that the rent of the room in which the executive could meet the wives of soldiers and sailors. should be paid by tho Minister of Internal Affairs.

This ho had agreed lo do for three months, and if tho reports of tho work proved satisfactory, showing that good work was being doiio on the lines proposed, then accommodation would be taken for some time to come, tho Government to pay flic cost.

Suggestions as to the way in whicli tho club might bo organised were made by tho Minister, who also seized tho opportunity of telling his audience that every soldier's wife who was an expectant mother was entitled to freo admission, nursing, and attendance at St. Hsleu3 Hospital,, , and if necessary the Government would 1» prepared to waive iill other cases and give priority to the claim of tho soldiers' wives throughout the war period. In cases whero the women w-ra living in country districts, away from St. Helens Hospitals, it was arranged that througii certificates obtained from the Women's National Reserve their faro to and from tho hospital would be paid by the Minister. The Public Health Department was prepared to do much for I those who needed assistance, and if any soldier's wife or child required medical assistance they were now enabled to go lo tho Public Hospital and arrange for free attendance. Should any question as to payment be Taised the matter was to be brought under the notice of the Minister of Public Health, and he would deal with the matter. Money could not be better spent than in making life easier for the wives of the men who bad gone to fight for our freedom. Mr. Statham, M.P., also expressed his great sympathy for and approval of tho scheme. He thought the war pressed far more heavily npon women than upon men, and anything that he could do to help in this matter he would be only too pleased to do. Mrs. Han an further elaborated the scheme which it is proposed to carry into execution throughout the Dominion. They wanted two or three rooms, one where the wives of the soldiers and sailors could take their , sewing, and that could bo need for social pnrpoaes, and the other where their children could bo left and looked after. Furniture, of course, would be needed, and already tho Singer Sewing Machine Company had given them the use of a machine for some time to come.

The Mayoress had no donbt that the club would fill a gap, and possibly through some of the sections of work which it was proposed to establish at the club, much useful knowledge in making one shilling go ns far as two might be gained. That was a problem we would all shortly have to face. It was explained at the meeting that tho' room whicli had been taken next to the Women's National Ite?erye, the real of whicli was being paid by the Minister of Public Health, was an office only, not a clnb. Koome for tho latter purpose were still being looked for, and it was hoped they would soon be acquired. Dr. Plntts-Mills and Mrs. Hanan both roude appeals for gifts of furniture, pictures, etc., to make the rooms bright and homelike. The resolution brought forward by the. Minister in. regard to the formation of the club was carried unanimously. Apologies for non-attendance at the meeting were received from Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool, the Prime Minister, the Hon. TV. F. Massey, who expressed complete /sympathy with the scheme, and Sir Joseph Ward.