LAND GIRLS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25142, 5 February 1943, Page 7

LAND GIRLS

EARLY PROVISION OF EQUIPMENT (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 4. There are at present 403 girls in the Women’s Land Service,, and 125 additional candidates whose enrolment has not yet been completed. Provision is being made for supplying equipment for a total of 600 land girls. This information was given by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, to-day. “On Monday last I informed Mrs Grigg, M.P., that the matter of supplying equipment to land girls was being taken up with a view to having it provided as early as possible,’’ Mr Fraser said. “ I am now' informed that such delay as there has been was unavoidable owing to the initial difficulty of obtaining satisfactory samples of some of the equipment required. This has been overcome, and full production is proceeding' urgently. “Instructions have been given,” Mr Fraser said, “ that orders for the women’s land service are to be given priority over other requirements and that the garments and equipment must be delivered with the greatest possible speed. It is estimated that completion of the orders should be made within two weeks, except for oilskin clothing.” “The delay in adequately equipping the land girls for their very valuable service is regrettable, but the circumstances were difficult," the Prime Minister added. “ I desire to express my warm appreciation of the splendid work which Mrs Dreaver and Mrs Grigg have done in stimulating recruiting for the Women’s Land Service, thus helping the war effort of New Zealand women.”