WOMEN'S SERVICE LEAGUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22499, 17 August 1936, Page 3

WOMEN'S SERVICE LEAGUE

WORK IN UNITED STATES ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP ONLY Some idea of the extensive work carried out by the omen's Overseas Service League in tho United States was given by Mrs. G. H. Davidson, who' arrived in Auckland by the Wanganella, accompanied by her husband, Dr. Davidson. Mrs. Davidson, who is a member -of tho San Francisco branch of tho league, is spending a few days in New Zealand before continuing her journey to tho United States by the Aorangi next week. Just before leaving the United States on her present tour Mrs. Davidson attended the convention of tho Women's Overseas Service League held in San Antonio, iexas, over 600 delegates attending. Tho league possessed units Jul over the United States, aiul specially appointed organisers travelled to and lectured in many far-distant and small towns and counties in a ceaseless campaign for new units and a wider membership, and in an endeavour to make women acquainted with thp work and objects of the league. Aid for Ex-Service Women

At present, said Mrs. Davidson, the league was working out an extensive plan of care, pensions and other aid to those in need. A special effort was being made on behalf of those women who had in various ways given assistance in the war. For some time Mrs. Davidson had been associated with a specially-appointed research committee in an endeavour to get in touch with the 22,000 women who had served overseas. "Women who had driven ambulances, provided entertainment for the soldiers and served in various capacitieswith the Rod Cross and other organisations were not eligible for bonuses, hospital care and expenses and other Federal benefits, explained Mrs. Davidson. Many of these women were in need of some assistance. To provide for them the conunitteo was preparing a plan for the league to establish a fund whereby direct assistance might be given, not as a charity, but as a payment for services rendered. The Women's Overseas Service League was built up and supported entirely by the efforts of its own members, Mrs. Davidson said. It was one of the largest, most enthusiastic and most widespread women's organisations in the United States. While the national headquarters were established in Washingtor. many of the larger units, such as those of San Francisco, New Orleans. Pittsburgh and many others, possessed their own well-equipped headquarters. The league did not ask for any direct public assistance, and depended almost entirely upon the interest, sincerity and active co-operation of its members. No Figureheads In Mrs. Davidson's opinion no woman should join any organisation established primarily for some form of social welfare work unless she was prepared to devote as much of her time as possible toward the successful outcome of its work, or unless she was prepared to take an active and constructive interest in its progress. If all the women belonging to all the various women's organisations in the world did thoroughly the work that they had voluntarily undertaken the position of women would to-day bo remarkably strong. Moreover, they would, through their work and an inevitable co-operation, possess sufficient power to effect the [rreat reforms which they were now undertaking in a more or less apathetic way. ____