OUR SILENT SERVICE ARMY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 491, 6 September 1915, Page 4

OUR SILENT SERVICE ARMY.

It is a, fact patent to all that the status of British women has been'entirely altered, raised, and consolidated in remarkable manner by the events of the past** 12 months (writes "Queen Bee" in the "Australasian-"). And when the time comes for the reckoning the incalculable amount of good women have done for the Empire will have to be apportioned'and.the substantial gain appreciated in the most direct and generous" manner. Sorrow, suffering, anxiety, and ceaseless toil will have left their mark on everyone; but it is a mark that all will glory in, for it will tell of something accomplished in the just cause of the nation and of humanity. They did not wait for mobilisation orders from the Government, but organised themselves completely and thoroughly, and very soon became an efficient body of workers, who faced toil with indomitable courage, thoroughness, dnd determination. In doing all this good for their country they have also done good for themselves. They have come to the full knowledge of their powers; and their limitations, which will stand them in excellent stead in the future, that future wherein we shall find the relation of the sexes considerably altered for the better on both sides. And, much as they have already done, there is more in another sphere which their combined efforts can aid in accomplishing. Thrift and economy, in sensible and practicable form, are today more than ever necessary*, and woman has now the opportunity of becoming a powerful economic factor in the country. A writer on this matter puts the case very clearly when v he says: "It is necessary to distinguish between the false and the true economy. The false is that which, considering only the actual cost of a thing in pounds, shillings, and pence, retains or rejects it according to its cheapness, or the opposite. True economy, on the other hand, as applied to the household, takes a wider view, appraising a commodity not only at face value, but in relation to other household expenses which it will affect, and more important still to the well-being of the family." The mobilisation of the military nursing services in the early days was one of the great feats that will, no

doubt, in some future time, be fully detailed and recorded. Only this small army of trained women, but of the millions, were able at once to take their places fully • equipped to render help, the remainder having no idea-in what way they could assist, and so stood idly by until they saw that they must, if they were to help, organise themselves, Iu a very little while this large army of helpless women became efficient, and gradually more efficient, until, at the present time, it is impossible to find a woman who is not doing something for the cause. *

In-France, when war was declared, instantly came the order from the Government for women to take the place of men everywhere. They at once garneredthe harvest and prepared for the next one. This set free millions of soldiers, and we know that these, women did their work thoroughly and with that painstaking care that is characteristic of the sex. British women all over the world, in; the beginning, did not hope to replace men. Their spirit I of service, that spirit which is above all things sturdy, cheerful, , and of good courage, determined to work far them, and they set about it quietly and without fuss or proclamation. But they very soon saw it was needful to follow in the steps of the French in ithe matter of replacing men, and did so. British women say but little of their love for country* or kith and kin, but it is there deep down in their souls, intangible and mighty, and these lurid, trying months have brought the splendid glory of their womanhood to the surf ace, and they have shown they are worthy of that great Empire, dear above expression, for her reputation throughout the world. It is true beyond a shadow of doubt that the men of a nation are what the women make of them, and it is their, spirit of unflinching, heroic, courageous service that is to be found in our far-flung battle line in the supreme hour, and in every hour. And it is this magnificent silent service that is sending our men all they ask for. And herein is some measure of comfort for those women whose best and dearest have gone, for their sorrowing hearts find eternal blessing and peace of mind in the fact that they worked for them to the end, and will go on working, with woman's faith, to the greater end. How can we, in mere words, express our reverent admiration for such, heroic souls.