SHADOW OF WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 91, 19 April 1939, Page 10

SHADOW OF WAR

FIRST-AID WORK

NAVY LEAGUE WOMEN TO

TRAIN

**With the shadow of war over as a* the present time, young men may have to be called up and learn to die before they have learned to live. Young women, I am sure, would like to think that they were learning something which would help the country in a time of need," said Sir James Elliott, chairman of the Wellington centre of the St. John Ambulance Association, when speaking to a meeting of the ladies' auxiliary and the junior branch of

the Navy League last night.

The meeting was held to start classes to train women members of the league in first aid. The classes ■will begin next week and it is probable that when they have finished their training the women will form a division of the St. John Ambulance. Mrs. F. H. Whatley presided.

Several of the Navy League girls had asked her if there was not something they could do, said Mrs. Whatley. They all knew war was a wicked, stupid thing. There was one thing they could do, however, and that was to learn first aid. It was with the object of starting classes that the meeting had been called. A PUBLIC SERVICE. As a member of the Navy League, said Sir James Elliott, he was delighted that its activities were to be extended in that direction. As members of the Navy League, they would realise that public services were very necessary. The St. John Ambulance was .an Empire-wide body and had a long history. Two of the activities of the St. John Ambulance were the teaching of first aid. to the injured and home nursing. In connection with first aid there was instruction in the treating of victims of gas attacks. "In cities like Sydney I have seen people such as yourselves very highly trained in this," said Sir James. There were six classes in first aid, he said, and the knowledge gained was very helpful to women as well as to men. When he was at Wanganui- at Easter he saw three motor accidents and one of the victims would probably have bled to death but for some simple remedies. THEIR OWN DIVISION. Another object in learning first aid was that after the courses they could join the St. John Ambulance through one of the nursing divisions. They would be able to finish their courses by [October or November. Officers of the brigade would give them practical . instruction. Tn?y could have their own nursing division and there was plenty of work for those who had the will and opportunity to do it. Sir James mentioned the work done by the brigade at sports grounds, parades, and wherever crowds gathered. At the Centennial Exhibition members of the brigade would be in attendance, he said, and the ranks needed filling. The association would give them every assistance and would feel very proud that the ladies connected with the Navy League should have their own service and come under their banner.

Dr. C. G. Kemp, speaking for the brigade, explained the difference between the brigade and the association. The association, he said, was the instructional body and through the association certificates were obtained. After that candidates became part of the brigade. He was certain they would find the work interesting, instructive, and extremely useful. He thought they should be able to form at least one nursing division and possibly two. The work of the brigade was in rendering active service. Every sports ground throughout the winter was served by members of the brigade and the number of injuries treated ran into thousands. He b,ad never known the public to be let down by lack of attention of members of the brigade. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. J "Many- people do not realise that | the Government is wide awake to the necessity for precautions in case of an emergency," said Mr. C. Meachen, secretary of the St. John Ambulance Association. "Plans are ready and the Mayors have been circularised and told what to do in case of earthquake or some major disaster. In Wellington there is a marvellous scheme in case of emergency."

So that the scheme would operate smoothly it would be necessary to have an annual rehearsal, Mr. Meachen said, and it was hoped that when the City Council had the scheme further advanced this would be done. If the international situation took a turn for the worse, the scheme would be adopted all over New Zealand.