War Work Better Than Mah Jongg, Bridge

Northern Advocate, 9 November 1939, Page 7

War Work Better Than Mah Jongg, Bridge

The organisation of the Whangarei District Women’s Emergency Corps is so complete that no trouble will be experienced in suspending operations during the hot weather. Indication to this effect was' given at a general meeting of the corps yesterday by the president (Miss A. H. Cookson). “We can rest during the hot season and the holidays but we can be quite sure that the work we have done has been valuable and later it will continue where we have left off,” she said. The country districts also were well organised, and it would be possible to continue activities at short notice. Miss Cookson appealed to members not to flag in their work but to keep up their interest. Waiting Trying. The trying part of the organisation would be the waiting, she said. Members must not think the work could be dropped and she hoped that even .after the war had ended, the organisation would continue. The danger in the waiting period was that some members would feel inclined to withdraw and every effort had to be made to overcome that temptation. “It is wonderful that in such ,a big scattered district, the emergency corps is ready for any work which may come along,” said Miss Cookson.

The importance of retaining interest in the organisation was also emphasised by Dr. C. B. Gilberd. “There are many aspects of medical and public work, other than those which come under trained personnel and it is in this work that the corps can give great help,” he said. Epidemic Possibilities. If an emergency arose there would be much work to be done. If an emergency did not come as the result of an attack it might arise through an epidemic such as that which followed the Great War.

“There is a big possibility of our boys bringing home an epidemic and it is well to be prepared for it,” said Dr. Gilberd. He appealed to members to maintain their enthusiasm. ’ It was possible, if war continued, that enthusiasm felt at the start would wane. Members should guard against this feeling and keep up their enthusiasm. “It will be far more enjoyable than mah jongg and bridge, and you will be doing useful work,” he concluded.