A LOYAL OFFER.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1309, 24 April 1918, Page 3

A LOYAL OFFER.

CONSCRIPTION OF WOMEN. "Conscription of women" is practically the request of a letter received by the Hon. G. W. Russell from the Auckland Women's National Reserve.: This body has adopted a motion urging tlie Government to consider immediately the question of conscripting women for war purposes. "In Bupoprt of this resolution," the letter continues, "we beg to draw your attention to the fact that many thousand women throughout the Dominion have pledged their loyalty and desire to servo their country practically, while out men go forth to protect it. It. is therefore with astonishment and misgivings, in the face of Mr Lloyd George's appeal, that we read of the various proposals discussed in Parliament on the man-power question without a suggestion that the woman-power of the country should lie utilised in answering the appeal. We feel that this reflects on the patriotism of the women of the Dominion, while it does not display the readiness for that full and sufficient sacrifice vvhicdi the dire extremity of our nation demands." The letter mentions that the Women's National Reserve has machinery ready to help the Government. The following reply has boon sent by' the Minister of Internal Affairs to a letter from the Auckland branch of the Women's National V.exrvv?: —"I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of April 15, confirming your telegram of April 12, with regard to the question of conscripting women for national service. 1 need hardly assure you that T greatly appreciate the loyal and patriotic offer of your reserve, going so far as it does as to invite conscription of women. 1 have, however, to point out to you that New Zealand is a pastoral country, and employment of women as shepherds, musterers, and general farm hands is impracticable, and this is even more evident regarding the coal mining and shipping industries. Up to the present, so far as the Government is aware, the need of female labour to take the places of conscripted men lias not, become directly apparent. The employment of Second Division men and men beyond military age has so far enabled the country to be .carried on. The time is, however, coming when it will become necessary to turn to our women for assistance, and when that time does come the Government will gladly avail itself of the assistance of your reserve. Thanking you for your patriotic offer."