WOMAN’S WORLD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3139, 6 July 1942, Page 2

WOMAN’S WORLD

MESSAGE TO GIRLS

IMPORTANT PART IN WAR UNACCUSTOMED JOBS “DON’T LET SOLDIERS DOWN” “Unfortunately some women are inclined to look upon the present .state of emergency through mid-Victorian glasses instead of modern ones and thus have failed to realise just what an important part they can play in the present world-wide war.” This statement was made by Miss E. V. Bell, division leader of the Matamata Women’s War iService Auxiliary, in an interview with a representative of the Matamata Record, during which she deplored the fact that there were still many more girls who had not yet come forgard to assist their country in its hour of need. In Britain, in China, and in Russia women were playing a wonderful part, continued Miss Bell, and were tackling successfully very many jobs which were formerly thought to he the prerogative of men. The males were thus freed for more dangerous work, all of which assisted to increase the striking power of the United Nations. Proving Efficiency There was no doubt in the minds of members of the Women’s War Service Auxiliary, added Miss Bell, as to which age they lived in, for they were tackling unaccustomed j’obs in many avenues in a magnificent manner and proving themselves to be most efficient at everything they undertook. • However, a lot more members were required for the work there was to be done ancl to bring the local group up to the strength she felt it should be for such a progressive town. There was a large number of young girls in the town who had apparently not yet realised the very serious nature of the war, as they were doing nothing to assist. Many of them, she felt, might be somewhat shy of coming forward at this late stage, but she wished to assure them that there was no need for such feelings, as they could start together in a platoon of their own provided they got sufficient numbers. There were others who had signed up and had stated that they would be available when an emergency arose. It had to be remembered, however, that the position was not quite as easy as that, for it would be impossible to organise such at a moment’s notice. The result would be semi-chaos if such were not trained as part of an organisation beforehand. It was essential for smooth work that they should know their officers beforehand, and it was also essential for the officers to know the volunteers and for the latter to become accustomed to working as a team under discipline. Therefore she appealed to all to realise these points and to ensure that the W.W.S.A. was put on as sound a basis as possible.

The various calls which were now being made on the auxiliary proved that it was firmly established as an integral and important part of the district’s war organisation. The calls were certainly greatly appreciated by all in the auxiliary, and were distinctly flattering to the girls, but nevertheless they were somewhat embarrassed owing to the fact that the membership was not as strong as it might be. She did not think for a minute that any girl would wittingly let down the men who were away fighting for them, and now that there was so much work to be done she hoped that those who had not already joined up would do so at once and let the boys overseas see that they were whole-heartedly behind them in their readiness to assist in protecting the Dominion’s shores.