WOMEN'S NATIONAL RESERVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16965, 29 March 1917, Page 7

WOMEN'S NATIONAL RESERVE

ANNUAL MEETING,

The annual meeting of the Women's National Reserve (Otago branch) was held in the Stock Exchange last night, and was largely attended. Mrs Lindo Ferguson (acting president) occupied tho chair. Tho annual report stated that during the year Miss Woodhouse and Miss Keilar were appointed to the committee , owinn- to the resignation of Mrs Haggitt and Mrs Marshall, Miss Woodhouse later undertaking the duties of secretary on the resignation of Miss Benham. Mrs Finch found it necessary to resign the position of organising secretary, and towards * the end of the financial year Miss M'Leaii resigned the office of -president, though she was willing still to act on tho committee. During the year 308 a-ctive, 149 honorary, and' 24 associate members joined the reserve. At the request of the Wellington branch tho reserve undertook to supply French books for the uso of the men on the troopships every four months, and a large supply of books was received fromvariqus secondary schools and other donors. A rifle club has been formed in connection with the reserve, on the lines of those formed in other centres. The practices have been well attended. A handicap competition was won by Miss Simpkins During the year the Hon. G. W. Russell addressed members on the subject of the Government scheme of national registration of women for clerical work. On consideration the committee did not see ite way to fall in with tho Government conditions as to the training of such women, as the supply of women's clerical labour liero seemed fully equal to the demand. ■ So far the reserve has not been called on to any great extent to fulfil its main purpose, which is to help to keep the industries of the country going should other labour be unprocurable, but as the country continues to bo depicted of men it is evident that the services of women will be required to an increasing extent. In moving the adoption of the report Mrs Ferguson expressed regret that very little encouragement had been received from public bodies during tho past year, and pointed out ih%( there were many industries and vocations in which women could quite well tako the place of men without feeling any undue strain. The committee had been in communication with Mr Hunt (the Otago representative on the National Efficiency Board), and he hoped soon to be able to inform the reserve in what way its services might bo of use.

Mrs Crawford seconded the motion, which was carried.

The following motion was proposed by Mrs Sfcatham," and seconded by Mrs M'Fie: ''That we consider that the Otago branch of the Women's National Reserve should remain in existence."

Miss Mac Gibbon said she hoped that the possibility of women undertaking gardening work -would bo kept in view, as it was work thai seemed very suitable.—Mrs Downing said eho would be glad to see the reserve continue in existence to help to prevent men being brought from Australia to take the places of men who Lad gone from New Zealand, as it was reported°had been advised by the chairman of one of the Military Service Boards.—The motion was carried unanimously.

The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—President, Mrs 0. E. Statham-vice-presidents—Mrs Ferguson, Mrs Stoncham, Mrs Riloy; treasurer, Mrs Hutchison; secretary, Miss Woodhouse: committee— Mcsdamcs Macfio, Fcmvick, Mackie, Misses M'Lean, Gee-rin, Runciman, Keilar and Little. '

Mrs Hislop spoke a few words, pointingout the groat amount of war work that women were doing at Home, and suggested that men engaged in light work who were unfit for military service might assist with farm work, at anyrato for a few months at a time, their places being taken by women during- that period. The following motion, proposed by Mrs Downing, and seconded by Mrs Harris, was carried:—" That this meeting protest against the alleged proposal of the chairman of ono of thb military boards that firms brinjr men from Australia to fill the places of New Zealand men called up to fight for*our Empire, and .that a copy of this resolution bo forwarded to the Acting Prime Minister."

Votes of thanks to Miss M'Lean (tho retiring president) and to Mrs Fer<mson for presiding, closed the proceedings