To Assist Women, Children

Northern Advocate, 27 April 1940, Page 5

To Assist Women, Children

The seven inter-zones of the Northland Patriotic Zone A have been asked to set up sub-eommittees of suitable women to deal with special cases of hardship for women and children arising out of soldiers enlisting. The zone patriotic executive last night considered the matter, which arose from a recommendation by the National Advisory Council. This suggested the appointment in. each' zone and inter-zone area of a

special sub-committee of three discreet women, who could be entrusted with the delicate, though important mission of advising and directing womenfolk dependent upon soldiers, who meet a new set of circumstances after the echelons embark for service overseas. Typical Cases. Based on the experience of the last war, the following were given as typical cases:— The wife, with children, whose allotment proves insufficient to meet the family needs after sudden sickness has taken its toll on finances. Fost-departure confinement, where insufficient or no provision has been made for hospital expenses and the . care of other children during accouchment.

Single girls who are in trouble. Chairman of the executive (Mr. W. Jones) described the move as a step in the right directionLocal Cases. Cases where such a committee of specially-selected women couid act had already occurred in Whangarei. He agreed that charitabl work should be the duty of the Government, but without such a commitee, how could cases be brought to the notice of the Government?, Replying to Mr. J. W. Parkin, Mr. Jones said though working through the patriotic organisation, the Government was making no attempt to evade responsibility. Mr. C. McKinnon: Would the committee have power to grant relief?

Mr. Jones said that if a committee was working on the imprest account, it would be able to grant immediate assistance, though application would have to be made through the secretary at Whangarei and then to Auckland. Inter-zones’ Ability to Act. The secretary (Mr. L. O. Hall) thought that inter-zones would be entitled to spend money for' such relief purposes in the same way .as they did to purchase wool. Mr. Jones: It is one of the questions that will be thrashed out at the coming secretaries’ conference. Personally Mr. Jones would not hesitate to pay out relief. If any fight were needed it could come afterwards. Inter-zones of Northland were asked to set up the committees as requested by the secretary of the Auckland Provincial Council.