SERVICEMEN ABROAD

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 129, 28 November 1945, Page 10

SERVICEMEN ABROAD

MISS JEAN BEGG DESCRIBES WELFARE WORK

"T have been asked, 'What is your work and'why do you go to places?'*' said Miss Jean Begg, 0.8. E., yesterday in the course of an address to Wellington women in the Concert Chamber yesterday. Miss Begg, who holds the rank of colonel, was director of war services for women in the Middle East and South-east Asia, and as director of these services she will leave soon for China and Japan. "In a nutshell," said Miss Begg, "we go wherever there is to be a concentration of women in a foreign country, to care for them during leave or in transit."

Miss Begg spoke of aspects and problems of the servicewoman's life overseas which have not been previously dealt with. Homesickness and loneliness, she said, were unevenly balanced by an overdose of social life. "Our lasses have been most generous with their time," she said, "and tried hard to be unselfish with it."

Not only single women made use of the centres as "drop-in clubs" for themselves and their friends. Couples who married while on long service, prisoners of war and civilian internees had also been grateful. Women found barack life most galling. They liked to be independent and have a place of their own.

"Unfortunately, it was seldom that we could give them single room," said Miss Begg. "The palaces and ambassadors' homes lent to them were the worst places to inherit, for the huge rooms meant six or seVen having to share."

Miss Begg was warm in her praise of her staff, in particular the 18 New Zealanders. "They've done trojan work, which needed initiative and sympathy impossible to describe. The National Y.W.C.A. is to be congratulated on its selection."

The Mayoress. Mrs. Appleton, introduced Miss Begg, who was presented with a bouquet of roses. Mrs. J. S. Martin, president of the Wellington Y.W.C.A., proposed a vote of thanks to the speaker. Solos were sung by Miss Myra Sawyer.