WOMEN’S RESERVE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 108, 9 May 1934, Page 6

WOMEN’S RESERVE

Recruits to the new Women’s Re serve, which is being formed by Coin mandant Mary Allen, head of th< Women’s Auxiliary Service, held thei first rally at the Central Hall, West minster, recently. Commandant Allen said:, “I have waited until now to carry out what is a real ambition tn my mind, and thais to have every woman and girl train?.* along some lines which might be useful to either State departments or municipal authorities in the event of wai or civil emergency.” Women in all walks of life and of al’ ages were among the recruits who answered the roll call. One woman wa wearing a monocle. Between 400 and 500 women in the London area have already joined the reserve. Over 200 were present at the rally, and many were wearing the nev. uniform, which consists of a ion; double-breasted blue overcoat, a bin beret, worn at an angle by some of the young recruits, and a coloured sill: scarf. The colour of the scarf will de note the district. “We wish,” said Commandant Allen, “to be a body of women to counteracf the subversive forces which are very much alive in our midst to-day.” They were making training in first aid and training in anti-gas methods and the treatment of gas casualties compulsory, she went on. “We are no. making drill compulsory because there are some women who are not fit to take this. “We are also having fire drill am 1 classes for shooting. My own experi ence is that the more women knov about the handling of firearms the bet ter for them. Most women, I should think, would like to know exactly which end of a pistol one should start unload ing. “There will also be special classes for those who wish, in preliminary aviation. “We are going to include training in infant welfare and the care of babies. ” Mr. -C. Power, of the St. John Ambu lance Brigade, at the conclusion of Commandant Allen’s address, gave the re emits their first lesson in gas masl drill.