N.Z. "WRENS"

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 134, 9 June 1942, Page 3

N.Z. "WRENS"

NAVAL SERVICE

WAR CABINET APPROVAL

New Zealand is to have a Women's Royal Naval Service on the lines of the English service, the members of which are colloquially styled "Wrens." War Cabinet's approval of the establishment of this new service was announced last night by the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones), who said that it would enable naval personnel on shore to be relieved by women for sea service. It would also enable \ subsequent expansion in shore posts to be met, wherever possible, by the use of women where naval personnel otherwise would have to be employed.

Miss Ruth Herrick. well known as Chief Commissioner of the Girl Guides, has been appointed director of the organisation and Miss F. H. Fenwick has been appointed deputy director.

"It is the intention for recruiting for the Women's Royal Naval Service to start at once." said Mr Jones. "'Re-! cruiting will be arranged through the Women's War Service Auxiliary as the central body in New Zealand for all women's war organisations, but the final selection will be made by representatives of the naval service Women are required in the W.R;N.S. as telegraphists, teleprinter operators, cooks, mess hands (waitresses), shorthandtypists, clerks (accounts and general service), dental orderlies, and in many1 other forms of work, the nature of which it is not politic to make public As the numbers in each particular type of employment will be comparatively small a high standard will be expected of all selected applicants. UNIFORM PROVIDED. "The initial outfit of uniform will be given free of charge and will consist of navy serge costume (doublebreasted coat), navy felt hat, white shirt and black tie, grey stockings, and black shoes, but not underclothing. "W.R.N.S. ratings will wear naval cap ribbons on their hats, and W.R.N.S. officers and chief or petty officers, where entitled, will wear naval, cap badges and, following the naval custom, naval gilt buttons will be worn by officers, chief petty officers, and petty officers. Other W.R.N.S. ratings will wear black naval buttons. For the purposes of upkeep of their uniform, an allowance at the rate of £10 per annum, payable quarterly in advance, will be paid. "The selected applicants will be required to engage for the period of the war to serve in any part of New. Zealand. Endeavours will, however, be made to place women in the districts in which they % normally reside (so far as practicable)."

The rates of pay a day will be as follows: —Probationary Wren, qualified ss, unqualified 4s 6d; Wren, 5s 6d and ss; leading Wren, 5s 9d and 5s 3d; petty officer Wren, 6s and 5s 6d; chief petty officer Wren, 7s and 6s 6d. (If living accommodation is provided a deduction will be made from pay.) /

In 'addition, a victualling allowance at the rate of lOd a meal will be paid where victualling is riot provided by the Navy Department.

"Generally speaking, women employed in essential industries or already in Government employ are not likely to be accepted for service in the W.R.N.S. (N.Z.), but all who so desire may apply," said the Minister.