WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1920 THE WOMEN'S NATIONAL RESERVE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 15 December 1920, Page 4

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1920 THE WOMEN'S NATIONAL RESERVE.

There is always a sad thought when an organisation which has been for some years in existence and has done a good service feels that its usefulness is nearing an end. Apparently the Women's National Reserve has entertained that thought, but we are very glad to see that at its - annual meeting on Monday members decided to "carry on," even if only to continue the tasks of attending to soldiers' graves on Anzac T>ay and the Mothers' Teas. We fear that the nation hardly realises how much it owes to its women for the great work they did in helping to- gain victory over the Germans and their • allies; yet we venture to say that, had it not been for woman's willingness to shoulder the burdens which war always brings to her and to give magnificent support to the men who went to fight, Britain would not have been among the victorious nations. It. made an enormous difference to our national power when, women "went into the factoi'ies to make munitions, when they ploughed the fields and grew food which was so much needed, when they responded to the great call* for sacrifice in the military ho&pitals, and when they silently and bravely bore the terrible losses of those nearest and dearest to them; killed in the awful conflict or maimed for life. In New Zealand we fortunately escaped some of the severest blows of war, but the women of the Dominion did their part no less satisfactorily than did their sisters in the jOld Country, for not only did they respond Bravely to the call for, nurses and war workers, but those who stayed behind spent many hours of their time ,in € making' and sending forward comforEs for the" men who had to face the terrors of the battlefields. The Women's Natioria* Reserve was constantly thinking of those who had gone forward to pro^ tect the Empire, and member^ did alisi in their power to lighten the men's burden. Then in the days when the epidemic ' was working its course through the country many brave workers from the Women's National Reserve took a prominent part in the : fight against the disease. It would, wo think, be a great pity if such a splendid organisation should cease to exist, for though at the present time there may be no special work for it to. do, the knowledge that such a splendid organisation exists is a great help in cases of emergency. While the most hearty thanks of the people are due to the Reserve for its great work in the X-ast, we, are.-,glad that the organisation will continue its existence 'and hold itself in readiness to. answer any call that may come to it. Apart from any "work that it has found to do, the Reserve has an influence, and moreover the- common cause which members have made their own during the years that

they hare met together has encouraged and cemented friendships that are lasting, and this in itself is good.