WOMEN AND MUNITIONS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3188, 12 September 1917, Page 2

WOMEN AND MUNITIONS

1 Women workers on munitions, whether you find them in tho shipyards on the Clyde,' iu tho machine-shops and shcllfactories and gunworks that are scattered all over the country, or in the csplosivesproducing establishments, are the most wonderful peoplo 1 have soen in this war (Btn'tes a writer in -"Munsey's). ; It is hopelessly " trite to say that they and their work .are making it possible to carry 011 tho war. Everybody understands that much; but only tho men who have organised the war industries, who have seen how quickly women learn, how deftly they do their work, how willingly they subject themselves to , tho discipline that is absolutely necessary, how. ansious and earnest, they nro to produce'a maximum of output instead of the paltry minimum that has beoomo tho ideal of British, organised, labouronly "one "who understands these factors can possibly have, a. conception of what tho present-industrial revolution means. Woman has bccomo not. merely tho competitor of man in practically every kind of industry, but flbo has 'become his superior in many fields which, three years ago, nobody would have dreamed that she would ever enter. Ono process i.n cleaning cotton. in this factory is called "laying the pan." • The pan is a laige earthenware vat, perhaps six teet in, diameter, and three feet deep, in which the cotton must bo steeped in.a combination. of acid diluted with water. It inquires to bo agitated at intervals and to have the water changed at certain ' fixed times. The process is a manual one, involving 'steady physical exertion as well as the utmost care'to preserve cleanWhen the establishment was first opened, this particular process' performed by men. They presently- settled down to an average of fourteen pan 6 per day per man. Then the experiment or employing women was started. 1-n a short timo the women wore able to laj twelve pans per day. Presently they increased the number to eighteen, then to twenty, to-twenty-four, and when I saw them at work the superintendent of tho establishment told mo that the entire crew of women, were averaging tliirty-two pans each per day! Tho superintendent was a man, too. I am permitted Vr censor to say that the factory is at Gretna, tho village made famous by the tradition of Gretna Green. As everybody knows, there was at Gretna _Green-m Scotland, just across tho T»mor-line-a combination of blacksmith shop and rude chapel, to which eloping English couplos were wont to repair-to have the marriage ceremony performed off-hand.

A very enjoyable "social" was held m Wesley Hall, Taranaki Street, on Sat urday evening, when a large number of officers and mon from tho military camp 3 ■were entertained by the members of the Young Men's and Young Women s Methodist Bible Class Unions.' Items were rendered by Misses Chapman, Anderson. li. Martin, Mr. W.kelson, Sergeant Ritchie, and Private Wilson. Various games were played,;'and an amusing "peg-dressing" competition earned for the winner (Corporal Light) .a decoratedl cake These "socials,' under the auspices of the Methodist Biblo Class Unions have "been held regularly for the past twelve months, with pronounced succoss.

Miss Ada Reeve in Auckland. The news that Miss Ada Reeve is in Auckland will be received with great joy by all who know her position on the English stage. . Miss Eeevo has spent (ho greater, part of her time since the war in patriotic er-deavour. At Homo she gave up her beautiful residence in Hie Isle of Wight as a hospital for convalescent soldiers and sailors, and it is bow historical that had it not been for Miss Eeevo the Anzac Buffet in London would bava closed down. In Melbourne- she heard the news and set herself the task of keeping that institution alive, wiiii the result that she magnetised about iPOOO from the people's pockets. . . Miss Eeeve used to pay frequent .visits to her hospital home on the Isle ot .AVight and during those visits she made the acquaintance of an Australian Anzac named "Spud" Murphy. What was her surprise on reaching Sydney to hear that "Spud" had been, sent home to ..onlbuni. Then came the kind thought that it would be nice for the sick man to know that he was remembered, so quietly she made her arrangements 'and slipped up to Goulburn with a heap of comforts, took "Spud" completely by surprise, acted "My Ladv Bountiful" in a maimer altogether charming, and dashed -Jack to Sydney to keep her engagements there. How many women would, ever liave thought of such a. mission, .leave alone have carried it out? According to present arrangements Miss Eeeve will commence her-season in -Wellington on October 1. . At Auckland yesterday Miss Eeeve was accorded a reception at tuo Soldiers' Club by about 50 ladies, representing various patriotic societies. Military representatives' present included Colonel Patterson and Sir Eobert Walker During the afternoon she was presented -by the soldiers with a silver clock Many of the soldiers had already Miss Reave in London. In the evening the Mounted Eifles Band of 34 players and a eS»Ue'number of rehired soldiers wert along to Miss Eeeve's hotel, and escorted-her down to theiheatr* The Kto was crowded Miss Eeeve had to sing twelve aumbers. During the evening she made an appeal for assistance for tho Anzac Buftet in England. Wedding Announcements. — Beautiful roses ana the choicest of flowers only are used when designing wedding l*«<l'i<>ts, ■which I make a speciality of. Packed and forwarded through the Dominion. If Murray, Vice-Regal Florist, ob Wil lis Street.—Advt.

On fno occasion of her giving up her position on the stuff of Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains, a presentation of a handsome gold watch, suitably engraved, was made to Miss King by the stafl. Tho presentation was made by Mr. Roberts, who expressed tho good wishes of all, and hoped that Miss King might bo long spared to enjov her well-earned rest. Miss King, he said, was leaving with the good wishes of all the staff for her future nappfness. ' Handsome recognition of Miss King's services was also marie by _Mr. John Kirkcaldio and Mr. S. jv.Tn;caldie. A shilling stall for Paddy's Market is being organised by 'members of tho St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas and Red Cross Society (Star Boating Shed). All sorts of attractive, and useful articles have been proniised, and excellent value will be given lor the money spent. The stall is sure to bo extremely well patronised, and to meet all demands a great number of tu'ticlcs will be needed. Tho committee invite all interested in tho matter and willing to help with the undertaking to meet them at tho Star Boating Club Shed to-morrow afternoon at half-past three. There was a keen demand for tickets hi connection with the raffle of the dinner service which has been given by Miss Johnston for the benefit of the Thorndon Day at the Wellington Red Cross Shop, and among those v;ho took acivantvre of the private view of tho set-yes-terday afternoon were Mrs. ,W. F. Maseey, ilrs. Taylor, Lady Ward, and Miss Massey. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Coull and family, who have been living in town for the winter, have returned to their liome at Day's Bay. When it comes to Hair Work, Miss Milsom hits the knowledge gained by years of study, experience, and experiment, and is able to duplicate or match whatever hair you have and _ make exactly what you require. But if you know little about; it, do not fail to write. Our standard is lighhiess and simplicity in construction, yet is backed up by perfect work. To add to, or roduce, to alter or to make the newest and! latest, is Miss Milsom's specialty. Sho' is assisted by a staff of skilled hair-workers, who are daily making Plaits, Switches, Toupees, Transformations, Wigs, Natural Hair Pads, and Curls, all hygienic. Our Hair Work when completed defies detection when worn. Write for prices and particulars, and enclose pattern of hair. All facial and skin preparations, all hair ornaments and toilet accessories. Miss Milsom, Barnctt's Buildings, 91 Willis St. Telephone 814.—Advt.