NATIONAL RESERVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16546, 20 November 1915, Page 11

NATIONAL RESERVE

Last week representatives from branches of the National Reserve throughout New Zealand met in conference in Wellington in order to frame regulations and rules consequent on the recent incorporation of the Reserve in the Defence Act of New Zealand. The conference took up the greater part of two days, whilst the third day was occupied by the newly-appointed council in revising the regulations and in framing rules for the guidance of members generally. The regulations andi rules _ havo been submitted to the Defence Minister, and .as soon as they are returned with the department's approval and gazetted, the reorganisation of the Reserve throughout New Zealand will be gone on with. This will enable much better and more useful work to be carried out. The conference included tho women's branch as part of tho Reserve, and) it will havo a representative on the council. At present there are excellent reasons why the tromen should be a branch of the Reserve, i this has already been exemplified in Wellington, where important work is being undertaken by them, especiallv in connection with the registration of women in New Zealand for the purpose of their services being "utilised in tho professions and industries where men have gone to tie front. Representatives of the women's branch attended on the second day of the conference, and placed the matter very fully before the members. Dr Platte-Mills (president) spoke at length, bringing out tho main objects of the organisation, and showing the many ways in which the women could help the Empire if organised on proper lines. Advantage was taken of the occasion of _ a visit by Dr Platts-Mills to Dunediin this week to ask her to meet the executive of the Otago branch of the National Reserve. She detailed all the information concerning the movement. Colonel Stoneham, on behalf of the executive, thanked her; for the valuable information giverl, and assured her that steps would be taken to form branches throughout Otago and Southland. Definite steps have been taken to do this, and the first meeting will take place shortly.