A CALL FOR REINFORCE MENTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 45, 18 November 1918, Page 4

A CALL FOR REINFORCE MENTS

An canny of willing workers is now biitiling bravely with Lhc influenza cnidemiu, and there can bo no doubt that both men and women in its ranks arc doing splendid service to the community. But reinforcements are urgently needed. The continued appeals that are being made for additional workers would hardly be necessary it' those who are in a position to rospond

but have as yet hung back realised the nature of the call. The community is called upon at this time to wage a battle, and it is only by ivhole-heartcd and loyal co-operation that suffering and the toll of lives can be reduced to a minimum. The call for workers to assist in fighting the epidemic is in sonic respects very different to that which was addressed to the manhood of our country in the war which is now for practical purposes at an end. But the manner in which the greater demand was met should prompt and inspire an eager and loyal response to that which is being made to-day. It wo'ild have been a shameful thing to leave our soldiers unsupported in the field. It would be not less shameful to withhold adequate support from the men and women who are labouring untiringly to check and suppress the epidemic. As we have said, they are doing splendid work, but many of them arc working at a pace that cannot be maintained, and in order ■ that their work may achieve the b«t rej suits they must be given some relief and their numbers must be increased. The story from all the districts in and about Wellington in which voluntary . are working is much the same. Everywhere efficient organisation '& taking shape, with excellent results, but more workers are urgently needed. The call is to both men and women, but everywhere the greatest need is for more women who are prepared to assist either in nursing scrvico or in domestic duties. Of necessity, in cases where whole families are on the sick list, there is work to be done that can only be, done by women. In some cases men are undertaking such duties as fall within their compass in the homes of sufferers, and this arrangement may be usefully extended, but so long as the epidemic lasts there will be a call for service which can only bo rendered by women. Many women workers are already labouring untiringly, but more arc needed, and must be obtained. The appeal necessarily is addressed largely to single girls and to other women who have time to spare. Those who have families of young children to look after cannot leave them in order to render volunteer service. The call is urgent, and it is a call to service in the interests of the whole community.