WOMEN POWER

Grey River Argus, 18 March 1941, Page 5

WOMEN POWER

IN NEW ZEALAND Registration Urged The Women’s War Service Auxiliary in Greymouth is steadily extending- actively, having already" an efficient cycling corps and a competent transport class, for which it is hoped that uniforms Xv.Ul soon be available. Th e cookery classes are ones of which women cf the district might take more advantage, because they afford a knowledge of the art which is hardly attainable in the limited sphere of the home. In case of emergency the women would be called on to undertake large■scajle cooking, and the present Jis the time to attain proficiency. Tire Women’s Institutes have in various localities assisted greatly in forming a nucleus for W.W.S.A. organisation. At the recent Dominion representative Council meeting of New Zealand Women’s Institutes, the wife of the Prime Minister, Mrs P. Fraser, outlined the aim and object ot Ae W.W.S.A., ana stressed the necessity of a register of the whole womanpower of New Zealand. The organisation of the women of New Zealand would be. she was sure, one of the greatest social experiences that had taken place in this country, as it has been m England. Mrs Fraser spoke of the social problem in regard to manufactures, where, to maintain production, it was essential that women should replace the thousands of men who had been withdrawn from industry, and the time would also come when women would have to do more and more' in Army, Navy, and Air Force auxiliary joos. The Women’s War Service Auxiliary did not want to draw women away from other existing organisations, for ever.) women’s organisation was doing splendid war 'work at the present time. She stressed the national obligation on the part of all women in New Zea.and to register and state what they, were doing, could do, and would like to do, to assist their country during the time of urgent need. . Information regarding activities, of the W.W.S.A. in various districts was given by Mrs Fraser, the president, and several delegates. Commander Boyle’s splendid gesture in giving up-to-date farm training to girls under excellent conditions at his Canterbury farm was commended; also the offer by the board Ox governors of Lincoln College, Canterbury, to give a course of a broad general nature to women students, accommodation. for 20 at a time being available. This course of six weeks may later be extended. There was an opening for girls m herd-testing, a proven, war effort ot value, tuition being given at Massey College. Many girls were receiving tuition and experience in canteen and large-scale cooking with Air Force ‘trainee:: at Ruakura State farm. Others at Wanganui vDre doing week-end work in hospital kitchens. In Dunedin, the bicycle corps could be utilised by the postmaster, and in other cities many secretarial workers were fil.ing vac* ancies caused by the war.