SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 95, 16 January 1943, Page 6

SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE

Members Of W.W.S.A. Have Had Busy Year

A survey of the activities of the AV.AV.S.A. in AVellington during the past year shows that the various sections have worked splendidly and in numerous cases have exhibited a wonderful spirit of sacrifice ; only those coming in contact with the individual activities could appreciate (lie valuable contribution made to the war effort. ’ . , , The quality and extent of the work shows the determination of the women of AVellington to do all they can, in whatever way, to hasten the day that will bring victory and peace. Officials are hopeful that the year 1943 will see eveiv more girls availing themselves of the opportunities there are for training within the auxiliary. All girls who have attained the age of 1G may register. Beginning with the clerical section, this group has much to show as a result of its year’s activities. Members always staff the information bureau for members of the armed forces at the railway station and supply full information concerning service clubs, accommodation and entertainment facilities. Large numbers of men make use of the bureau daily. In addition, these girls devote most of fhetr evenings and weekends giving voluntary clerical assistance to Home Guard, City Battalion and Army Departments in addition to their ordinary hours of employment. Two canteen sections operate. Ayork carried out by members of these sections covers daily attendance at the Combined Services Hostel in Dixon Street, making beds, and at the Y.M.C.A. during weekends preparing dormitories and serving breakfasts for the large number of servicemen catered for by this organization; canteen duties are also undertaken at various services clubs in the city and suburbs. In addition, a number of women are engaged, packing tobacco for dispatch overseas by the Patriotic Board. A special obstetrical section of 45 members was established and is attached to the St. John Ambulance Association. Shopping for Patients,

A further section attends at the Public Hospital and undertakes shopping for soldier patients, a much-appreciated service. careful attention being devoted to the selection of the many articles to be purchase' . , Numbers of girls, fully trained as signallers, have been absorbed into the Navy and Army. The transport section has supplied a number of trained girls holdin'- heavy traffic licences as drivers for the Army and postal service. In addition, members of the section have carried out voluntary transport in connexion with the war effort. The making of camouflage nets has been undertaken by members of the auxiliary, some hundreds of these having been completed for the Army Department; others have been responsible for the making of blitz blinds, under the control of the E.P.S. Through the efforts of the land section, many servicemen’s clubs have been supplied each week with a plentiful supply of fresh, vegetables from plots situated in the city and suburbs, the work on these being carried out on Saturdays. . Sorting of waste paper was earned on during the year. This was a most unpleasant task, but it was undertaken cheerfully by a group who attended regularly at’the waste paper depot in Lombard Street. , , , The office of the AVellington branch has acted as a recruiting depot for women of the armed services, and also for the Women’s Land Service.