TERRITORIAL ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23882, 9 August 1939, Page 2

TERRITORIAL ASSOCIATION

WOMEN'S COMMITTEE FORMED ENCOURAGEMENT OF RECRUITS With the object of forming a women's committee to assist the Territorial Association of Otago in its work of encouraging recruiting for the Territorial Forces, a largelyattended meeting, which was called by the Mayoress (Mrs A. H. Allen) was held in the City Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. Mrs Allen was in the chair, and associated with her were Dr Roland Fulton, chairman of the Territorial Association, and Mr James Hogg. After Mrs Allen had welcomed those present and explained the objects of the meeting, Mr Hogg spoke at some length on the work of the Territorial Association, and of the assistance which a women's committee could give. A good deal of effective work had been done during the past 18 months by the association, Mr Hogg said, but a stage had now been reached when it was realised that it could do still more if it enlisted the sympathy, assistance, and active support of the ladies of the city. There were many spheres in which women could do more effective work than men in encouraging young men to join the territorials. After explaining the reasons for the formation of the Territorial Association in 1938, Mr Hogg said that at no time since the Great War had public interest in territorial work been so strong as during the past 12 months, a position to which the association had contributed very largely. However, the association in Otago had a membership of between 500 and 600, of which 200 were women, and he hoped that with the support of those present the lady members of the association would bring their number up to 2000. It was desired that they should form a large body of public opinion in favour of territorial training, that they should assist in the social activities of the recruits, and that they should encourage men of the right type to join up. Dr Fulton said that New Zealand was well worth defending, and stressed the urgent need for the maximum amount of effort towards the provision of an efficient defence force In England, he said, practically every family was engaged in some way or another in assisting in the defence of their country, and the same position should exist in New Zealand. The formation of a women's committee would enable them to assist in the organisation of the social and athletic activities of the troops, while they could also take an active interest in framing operations, assist in dispensing suppers at the Drill Hall, make suggestions to help recruiting, and bring to the notice of the Territorial Association any adverse factors which should be remedied. It was unanimously decided to iorm a women's committee, and the following office - bearers were elected:—Chairwoman, Mrs A. H. Allen; vice-chairwoman, Mrs J. Park; Committee —Mesdames A. Bongard, J. F. Cardno. M. Parata, K. Harker, J Y Love, S. G. Scoular, J Wilson, J H Kirkwood, R. A. Fulton, Douglas Barton. W Pollard, and Miss C A Kieler At the conclusion of the inaugural meeting, the committee met and appointed sub-committees to attend to such activities as membership, social activities for territorials, and recruiting.