Women Organising To Meet Emergency

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 171, 22 July 1939, Page 15

Women Organising To Meet Emergency

TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILD GIVES LEAD In preparation for fulfilment of their pledge to help in a national emergency should such arise, members of the Palmerston North Townswomen's Guild held a meeting in the Opera House supper room on Thursday evening to form a home nursing and first aid circle. Mrs. A. E. Mansford (president of the guild) was in the chair and introduced Dr. Duncan Cook (medical officer of health) who explained the objects and work of the new circle and its place in the national scheme. In introducing the speaker, Mrs. Mansford said that they were forming the new circle to assist the Mayor, councillors, the city an the Government in time of emergency. She hoped it would never be required, but it was as well to be prepared. Paying a tribute to the valuable work of the Navy, which was an organised body, Dr. Cook pointed out that at the time of the Murchison and Hawke's Bay earthquakes it was realised that there was no organisation to deal with a national disaster, and the experiences of that time might be repeated to a greater or lesser extent in any part oi New Zealand. Measures to meet such an ordeal and to mitigate the human suffering and material damage which might follow called for considerable organisation and for co-operation with local authorities of various Government services. These measures could not be improvised effectively on the spur of the moment. The necessity for them was obvious, and the Government would be neglecting its duty to the civil population if it failed to ensure that adequate preparations were made. Whatever system was adopted, the detailed plans must be made locally, district district. Any activity on the part of the central Government could not compensate for the failure of local authorities to make adequate preparations. The first necessity was the provision and distribution of food and other supplies, of public services, such as water, gas and electricity, and the maintenance of medical and health services, of communications, of transportation, and of some financial system. The second task was the gradual restoration of the normal activities of the community. Above all, it was necessary to realise that in a sudden catastrophe no one was normal. Everyone suffered from shock and their mental concentration and muscular co-ordina-tion were temporarily paralysed to a certain extent. It was most important to restore normal activity as soon ‘as possible. When people had something definite to do their normal condition was recovered more quickly. In association with some useful work, under someone in authority, the individual forgot himself or herself in service for others. In a city such as Palmerston North, the main responsibility rested on the municipal authorities to organise its emergency precautions and to investigate local resources. Ooviously, the Mayor was in each locality the coordinating authority. tiimilariy the town clerk snouid be the organising secretary, with the duties of assisting the various local committees, of collect ing tneir reports and of seeing that these were handed over on any change of personnel. Likewise, it seemed fitting to Dr. Cook that the Mayoress should be the co-ordinating factor ol the women’s organisations, with the exception of the tit. John Ambulance and Bed Cross tiocieties, who had definite functions of their own. Dr. Cook stressed the fact that the new organis ation was entirely different from, and would not interfere in any way with, the work of these societies. Tho speaker outlined the different committees which it was proposed to set up for emergencies, and pointed out that the setting up of tnese committees entailed a tremendous amount of organisation and preparation. He gave some details of what w6uld be required in this respect, particularly tvith regard to medical work, which would include tue new circle ot tne Townswomen's Guild. Dr. Cook suggested a general discus-, sion, with an indication to the chair on the final decision, on the proposal to form an emergency precautions organisation. He suggested also that a committee bo set up to study the facts and recommend to the guild the most useful forms of activity; also that there should be a series of lectures on first aid, sanitation, etc., mentioning that he was prepared to give and arrange several lectures himself. Mrs. L. A. Northey conveyed the thanks of the members to Dr. Cook for his interesting address. A committee consisting of Mesdames Mansford (chairwoman), M. Aitchison, E. Carruthers, L. A. Northey and K. ti. Manning (secretary) was set up, and further business was held over till after tho general meeting of the guild.