SERVICE IN V.A.D. UNIT

Southland Times, Issue 24597, 20 November 1941, Page 4

SERVICE IN V.A.D. UNIT

WOMAN TEACHER SEEKS INFORMATION

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, November 20.

A request by a woman teacher for information whether the board approved of women teachers applying fol’ overseas service in a V.A.D. unit and whether it would be prepared to safeguard the interests of such teachers, caused a long discussion at today’s meeting of the Wellington Education Board. Members considered that an important matter of policy was involved and the executive was instructed to investigate and report to the board.

Colonel T. W. McDonald; The war is the most essential thing. If the services of these women are required overseas and they wish to go, we should let them go and do everything to safeguard their interests.

Mr L. J. McDonald said that to place education and the needs of war in competition was not getting the problem in the correct perspective. There were far more applicants than vacancies for V.A.D’s. The war effort would not suffer if women other than teachers were selected. On the other hand, if the ranks of women teachers were depleted the schools would suffer without aiding the war effort. “No one wishes to raise a finger to hinder the war effort,” said Mr McDonald. “On the contrary we would do all we can, but we must be careful to see that we are not influenced by hysteria into doing irrational things. I think that our schools have been more greatly depleted of teachers than any others in the British Empire.” The chairman, Mr W. V. Dyer; I think the department would rather this board gave an expression of opinion on the principle. I have no doubt that the department would grant the same protection as for men. I would be very loth for our women teachers to go if other members of the community were available to do the work.