VOLUNTARY AIDS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20627, 1 December 1941, Page 3

VOLUNTARY AIDS

SERVICE OVERSEAS DRAFT OF 200 WOMEN The selection of 200 New Zealand women for overseas service in association with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force is being made, and it is expected that Gisborne will find a good representation among the selected candidates. Seven of the district candidates were to be examined last week, as a preliminary to selection. The draft will comprise four officers. 182 voluntary aids for nursing and general duties, and 14 women for clerical duties. The unit will be entitled the New Zealand Women’s War Service Auxiliary (Overseas Hospital Division), and will be under the control of the Matron-in-Chief, Army Nursing Service. Single women and widows without dependents, between the ages of 23 and 34 vears, are eligible for selection, and if selected will be required to attest for service during the war and for one yenr thereafter. Pay will commence from ihc time of mobilisation m New Zealand, and will be on the following scale: Privates, 5s per day; corporals, 6s; sergeants, 7s; officers, 10s. After embarkation, the pay will increase to 6s per day for privates, 7s for corporals, 8s 6d for sergeants, and 11s for officers. Members of the draft will be required to make minimum allotments from their pay, rs are members of the fighting forces.

Uniform allowances will be £4O, one-fourth of which will be deferred until the draft reaches the Middle East. An upkeep allowance of £lO per annum also will be made available. Candidates must be active members of the Order of St. John or of the New Zealand Red Cross Society, and hold the certificates of one of these organisations. They must also have completed at least 60 hours of hospital experience.

Both the Red Cross and St. John’s have been given the opportunity to nominate candidates, and of the 182 voluntary aids for nursing work almost one-third will be selected from the Auckland Province, in which Gisborne is included. Women engaged in essential private employment will not be recruited for overseas service.