WOMEN’S NATIONAL RESERVE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4900, 20 June 1918, Page 6

WOMEN’S NATIONAL RESERVE.

VISIT O'F DOMINION SECRETARY The local branches of the Women’s National Reserve were in full force at the Trinity Hail last evening' to meet the Dominion organising secretary, Mrs (Colonel) Porter.. In the unavoidable absence of the, president (Miss A. L. Rees), the chair was occupied b v the vice-president, Mrs ■ Goffe. There was a good representation of the Manutuke branch. Mrs Porter commenced a most interesting address upon the work and objects 'of the Reserve by congratulating the local branches on their splendid efforts bn behalf of the Navy Fund and Y.M.C.A. Fund. , She also complimented them upon the possession of an able and thorough secretary in Miss Faubert, who carired out her duties most efficiently and conscientiously—(Applause.) Proceeding with her address Mrs Porter said the Reserve was founded in 1914 as an adjunct to the Men's Reserve, the objects being the registration, classification and teaching of women. The reserve offered its services to the Government for the voluntary registration of women. Shortly after, the Minister for Internal Affair’s made an appear for clerical workers, such as shorthand, typists and general clerks, and 8-50 women registered in 10 days. These were interviewed and classified by the Reserve. The Reserve had since Traced numbers of women in positions and desired to help both'employers and employed and to win the confidence of both as an advisory body. “The Reserve,” Mrs Porter continued “urges upon all members that true patriotism means self-sacrifice and that the women should realise, in taking men’s places, that they are trustees for the men and should §triv e to - fill their places as successfully as possible and be ready to vacate them on the return of the men.” Mrs Porter said that although the Reserve - was formed only for this object, it was found impossible to keep within the narrow limits of a rigid adherence to the letter of the constitution. Demands, many and varied, were in ad e upon it and the women were only too glad to help in every avenue opening up. Therefore the W.N.R. could be called a body of loyal women prepared to do whatever possible to assist their country and the soldiers and sailors and their families. All the work was done, in the heartiest spirit of co-operation, with existing bodies such as the Red Cross, the War Relief Association, the Navy League, the Crippled Soldiers’ Hostel and the Y.M.C.A. She said that in addition to placing members in suitable employment or paid positions, a large amount of voluntary clerical work had been done by tJle Reserve for the Defence Department, the Efficiency Board and other organisations engaged in work for the soldiers. The Reserve also provided badges for soldiers’ mothers. Proceeding to deal with the activities of the Reserve in Wellington the speaker mentioned a Gin’s Chib composed of girls trained by the Reserve. a Women’s Club, for the wives and families of soldiers and sailors, a Rifle Club, a committee for tending the graves of soldiers and sailors, a juvenile branch in the schools and. a War Emergency Division for special emergency work. Slie said the movement was a national one and was actively carried out throughout the Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago military districts. Mrs Porter concluded by quoting the following striking tribute to the work of the Reserve bv Major Norton Francis, in charge of Base Recoids, | where the Reserve has voluntary j staffs: “The success of the casualty and history sheet branches m getting out.promptly all notifications of original casualties and subsequent progress reports voula u. , quite impossible if the compilation of the 10,000 special history sheets had not been so successfully undeitaken two years ago by the memhers of the voluntary staff of the W'N.R- The knowledge that so large a band of willing workers i» always available whenever necessity arises relieves those of us who . are responsible for the carrying out of the numerous duties enti listed to ■ Base Records of much anxiety, as it is realised that any lob, however large, could be expeditiously and correctly carried 1 out. At the conclusion of the address a heartv vote of thanks was accorded , Mrs Porter and the opinion was expressed that as a result of her visit the local branches would be gieatly benefited and strengthened.