WOMEN’S WAR SERVICE AUXILIARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 124, 29 May 1941, Page 2

WOMEN’S WAR SERVICE AUXILIARY

CARE OF CHILDREN IN EMERGENCY A very complete scheme is being worked out by the Child Welfare unit of the W.W.S.A., whereby no street of Wanganui shall be left uncovered in the interest of babies and children in the event of any disaster. The streets as far as the outlying boundaries have been divided into zones. Each zone will be in charge of a convener, whose business it will be to get a helper or warden for every street and also offers of homes, where children of any stricken home may be taken for temporary care and shelter. It will be the duty of ihe warden of any street which may be involved to seek out the children, and, if necessary, have them taken to the depot of her district, of which she will have knowledge. When the scheme is complete, copies will be sent to the Education Department and to the Emergency Precaution Health unit in order that it may be dovetailed into the schemes of these respective departments. The child welfare unit has co-opted a large number of women, many of these being members of the Plunket Society, as conveners. But the manning of the zones is still incomplete. Many more voluntary helpers are needed and offers of homes as depots, should emergency arise. Anyone wishing to help will they please notify the W.W.S.A. Also, in connection with this scheme, and in order to ensure that clothes and equipment will be available for the children, it is intended to get together a store. Food and feeding equipment will be in the hands of the Food Control Committee. but the child welfare unit urgently asks for anything in the nature of baby bedding, material for napkins and baby clothing. Such equipment will be stored in accessible places, possibly distributed with the various conveners. All such gifts will be gratefully acknowledged through the Press, and in the event, of there not being required, will be returned to Ihe donors, or given to some charitable cause, according to the wish ot the donor. child welfare unit has been advised by the Dominion president of the Plunket Society that a set of practical lecture demonstrations have been prepared in “mothercraft” for those who have undertaken to assist where required with the care of babies and children. The course will be a short one and even to mothers who have brought up children, will serve as a refresher course. As Nurse Ogden wishes to arrange the lectures for Wanganui as early as possible, it is hoped that all those wishing to take the course will notify the W.W.S.A. at once. Any women other than those who have already offered their service, who wishes to help and desires to attend the lectures, will be required to register as “Plunket aids” through * the W.W.S.A., Victoria Court, Wanganui.