AUCKLAND WOMEN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21560, 24 January 1940, Page 10

AUCKLAND WOMEN

RECRUITS IN TRAINING Although little has been made public of the activities of the New Zealand Women’s National Service Corps in Auckland, this organisation has been playing an important part during the last three months in training women who are desirous of serving their country by taking up positions in military camps or in any other capacity in which they might be needed, states the “New Zealand Herald.” The unit, which meets for training once a week, was formed on September 29 with an executive committee of 12, of whom eight are ex-service-women. The commanding officer, Miss D. M. Hawkins, said it was hoped that the Government would later use the corps should necessity arise. For this emergency women were being trained in transport, cooking, canteen duties, and clerical work. The recent visit of Major-General B. C. Frey berg, who spoke in high praise of the service undertaken by the women of England, had stimulated interest in the corps, and several new recruits were enrolled. A letter was read from General Freyberg to the unit. Miss Hawkins further stated that before members could undertake duties in mobile camps they had to undergo a rigid medical examination, which was conducted by Dr. H. A. Cooper. A course of military drill and discipline was incorporated in the training each week and was given by Captain Harrison Lee. In the event of women being called up to do camp duties, Miss Hawkins said, several important points had to be arranged, such as the hours of work, pay, suitable quarters, and strict supervision by an officer of the corps. Drilling in the Amateur Operatic Society Hall recently, the members of the corps wore smart uniforms, comprising khaki shirt-blouses and shorts, while several of the ex-servicemen wore their decorations.