WOMEN IN FORCES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 25, 29 July 1942, Page 3

WOMEN IN FORCES

RECRUITING RALLY

Recruits have been coming in steadily since the opening parade at the air-raid shelter, Featherston Street, on Monday, when Lieut-General Puttick launched an . appeal for more women in the Armed Forces. Within an hour 50 girls had signed up and the number is now about 200. v . ■ During the lunch-hour yesterday speeches were made at the shelter by Lieut.-Commander F. M. Beasley for the Navy, and by Major M. J. Morris, R.A., for the Army. The War Cabinet, said Lieut.-Com-mander Beasley, had approved the establishment of a Women's Royal Naval Service in New Zealand based generally on the lines of the service which had been in existence in Britain since the outbreak of war. In the war Of 1914-18 the W.R.N.S. had built up a great tradition of loyal and devoted service, and the Navy was proud to welcome them in its ranks. All ablebodied men who were fit for sea service must be released. He pointed out that as the W.R.N.S. would be a much smaller service than the W.A.A.F. and the W.A.A.C., a high standard would be expected of all selected applicants. The air-raid shelter is open daily from 11 o'clock to 3, and will be open until 9 p.m. on Friday. There is also a depot at the Wellington Railway Station.