VOLUNTARY SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23320, 13 April 1939, Page 3

VOLUNTARY SERVICE

AUCKLAND AUXILIARY air raid precautions / 1 NEED FOR EARLY TRAINING / The importance of beginning the training of "women as soon as possible, and the part to be played by country women in the case of emergency, such as trar, rrere the main points discussed at .a meeting of the provisional committee of the Air Raid Precautions Women's Auxiliary last night. The chairman, Miss Elsie Bennet, presided. Speaking in regard to the part to be played by/country women Mrs. Noel Adams, a member of the executive of the Women's Division of the Farmers' Union, suggested that in the event of an air raid children would have to be evacuated from the cities, and country women would therefore have to prepare themselves to care for the children either in their own homes or in camps. It might also be necessary for trained equads of women to go from the country to the towns to give their assistance in the case of air-raid destruction.

Evacuation of Children A resolution was passed to the effect that while it was realised that the schemes outlined provided for minor emergencies in the metropolitan area, the fullest co-operation with the country women's organisations was necessary for major disasters requiring the evacuation of children. The committee also emphasised the importance of beginning the training of women in various branches of air raid precautions as soon as possible, and expressed its willingness to submit a scheme of organisation which would include full representation and participation of every .-section of the community. ' . As a preliminary instruction a series of lectures was arranged on the subjects of gas warfare, public safety in air raids, sustenance and rationing, and clothing and dressings. The first meeting will be held on April 20 and the Mext three on each succeeding Thursday. Work In England A copy of a letter from the British Home Secretary, Sir Samuel Hoare, to the Marchioness of Reading, chairman of the women's voluntary services for air raid precautions in England, was read by Miss Bennet. The letter, which was written on May 20, 1938, conveyed the Home Secretary's views on- the heavy burden which would fall on women in the event of attack, and the necessity for meeting such an attack by being organised and trained beforehand. Miss Bennet stated that Miss Elizabeth Swanston, who lost her life when the car in which she was a passenger fell into the sea at Devonport on Tuesday night, had enrolled as a member of the auxiliary. It was unanimously decided to send a letter of condolence to Mr. and Mrs. Swanston.