VOLUNTARY AIDS

Evening Star, Issue 24915, 13 July 1943, Page 6

VOLUNTARY AIDS

FURTHER CALL-UP A further call-up of St. John Voluntary Aids has been announced. The demand for V.A.s for service at home and abroad has been so great that it lias been found impossible to meet it from the girls available. Mrs V. C. Pottinger, provincial commandant of St. John V.A.s, said yesterday that Otago and Southland had headed the list in respect to the four latest calls, but girls were still required to undergo ordinary V.A. training for service with the forces. Thirtytwo St. John- V.A.s from Otago and Southland were now serving with the forces at home or abroad, and a further batch was awaiting transfer to posts. SOUTH ISLAND CONFERENCE. A South Island conference of St. John Voluntary Aids was held in Dunedin last week. Commandants were present from many places, and a formal welcome was extended to the visitors on Thursday by Mr E. Griffen, chairman of the local St. John V.A. Committee. The conference was held on Friday at the St. Johti Ambulance Headquarters, Colonel G. Barclay, director of ambulance, presiding. Amongst those present were Mr K. A. Falconer, comniandery secretary, Wellington, and Mrs A G. Miller, Domiuiou superintendent of St. John V.A.s. A large number of matters affecting the well-being of the Voluntary Aids were discussed, and steps were agreed upon to obtain additional women to take up the work. Excellent reports with regard to the work of the St. John V.A.s on service were placed before the meeting Lady district and corps officers and superintendents of nursing divisions had an opportunity of discussing with the visitors various aspects of V.A. work. The visitors were entertained at luncheon by the Dunedin St. John V.A. Committee on Friday.