The Dominion TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1942. WAR SERVICE BY WOMEN

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 250, 21 July 1942, Page 4

The Dominion TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1942. WAR SERVICE BY WOMEN

It is apparent from the weekend statement by the Minister of National Service, Mr. Broadfoot, that the response by. women to the call for service in the armed forces has been disappointingly small. This is a serious matter, for the country’s defence organization is beginning to look upon the employment of women as an essentia factor in its expansion programme. Women personnel are wanted for the Army’s domestic and clerical services, as well, as to take the place of men in certain specialist branches. If sufficient volunteers are not forthcoming it may become necessary for the authorities to extend the principle of “universal” defence service, and introduce a system of selection by ballot. ’ . ' In explanation of the poor rate of recruiting the Minister said that he did not believe the result was due to indifference or, apathy “among the thousands of women concerned,” but rather to a lack of appreciation, of the urgency of the need.” There may be a good deal in this; if so, it rests with the Government and the defence authorities to make the national position widely and clearly known. But is “lack of appreciation” the true main reason why. women, are holding back from uniformed war work? The most effective handicap to Service recruiting seems to be the civilian labour market, whici has already absorbed a very large percentage of the women who are available for employment, and continues to make lucrative otters in order to attract others. Most able-bodied women who are sufficiently free from domestic ties to “take jobs’ have already done. so. In many cases they have filled gaps created by the entry of men into the Services. If they, in turn, transfer to the Services, the purpose of their entry into business and industry may appear to them to have been frustrated. ' As a first step toward the betterment of the voluntaiy system ot recruiting women the Minister might well make a more specific appeal There is no longer a general pool of woman-power in this country available on the instant for national service. A great number of the “thousands of women concerned” can only be women already doiiw work of one sort or another, who could with advantage to the country transfer themselves to more important work. No doubt many of these women appreciate the need of giving the assistance required by the armed forces but do not —or prefer not to—understand that the appeal is directed to them personally. A housewife who has so arranged her life that she is able to take a position in an office or factory, or another woman who is devoting all her spare time outside domestic duties to patriotic work, may feel that she has already answered the call. Therefore the need, is to. persuade her —and thousands like her—to reconsider her position m the light ot today’s national need. . . A second step should be a more open and realistic examination of the economic side of women’s war service. Rates of pay lor women in the armed forces vary, but the highest are low by comparison with the rewards offered to girls in civilian employment. It they cannot be bettered, then the appeal on behalf of the armed forces should emphasize special allowances, privileges and the importance of service in uniform. More than that, it should bean appeal directed to the young women of this Dominion on the highest grounds of patriotism. Such a call should influence many of & those women in unnecessary employment, and enable the authorities to avoid the further disturbance of the business and industry ot the civilian community, which are now depending to a very large extentupon feminine help. If the call does not have that result, the onlyeffective alternative would seem to be a process o.f compulsoiy selection.