More Info →Women's War Service Auxiliary Memorandum

C.E. Warburton

WOMEN’S WAR SERVICE AUXILIARY.

87 The Terrace,
WELLINGTON C1.

28th February, 1941.

MEMORANDUM for:

ALL DISTRICT COMMITTEES AND SUB-CENTRES.

[50?] copies with objects of WWSA {

REGISTRATION OF RED CROSS & ST. JOHN AMBULANCE MEMBERS:
The Red Cross Society and the St. John Ambulance have become
affiliated to the Auxiliary and a complete register of the representative
organisations is being compiled and will be in the hands of the
Executive at an early date. Lists will be sent to District
Committees (and Sub-Centres through the District Committees) of all
members of the two organisations in the respective districts and
such lists will form part of the Register of the Auxiliary.

APPLICATION OF ORGANISATIONS TO THE W.W.S.A.
Organisations desiring to affiliate with the Auxiliary must comply
with the following provisions:—

(1) State the acceptance by the organisation concerned
of the Constitution of the Auxiliary and the desire
of the Organisation to work within it with reference
to war work.

(2) Supply a complete register of the names and addresses
of the members of the Organisation.

(3) Must agree to wear, if required, some distinctive
badge as may be prescribed by the Auxiliary when
engaged on war work to indicate affiliation with
the Auxiliary. (Note: This badge will probably be
the W.W.S.A. Brooch or some other simple, inexpensive
distinctive mark.)

PRINCIPLE WITH REGARD TO THE FINANCE OF THE W.W.S.A.
The following decision has been arrived at by the Dominion
Executive with regard to the matter of finance:

(a) The Auxiliary is a voluntary organisation. No person
is, under any circumstances, to be charged for
registering. No compulsory charge is to be made in
connection with training classes except as may be
necessary with regard to classes in First Aid and
except as may be otherwise specially determined by
the Executive.

(b) Donations for the purposes of the Auxiliary will be
received from any person whether within the Auxiliary
or outside. This paragraph makes it possible to
receive voluntary subscriptions from trainees as
well as donations from other sources.

FIRST AID CLASSES: First Aid Classes other than
those for Emergency Hospital Work and Transport will be given
free by the St. John Ambulance authorities. The following is
an extract from the letter that has been received from the
Commandery of the Order of St. John:—

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  “We are aware that there are a very large number of your
  members who do not desire to qualify for a full course,
  and the obtaining of a Certificate, but that they would
  be glad to attend a course of First Aid lectures, which
  would give them a general knowledge of what to do in case
  of accident, until the arrival of a qualified person.

We, therefore, suggest that the Auxiliary arrange for
classes to be held, and that the Order of St. John should
arrange a syllabus, and supply lecturers and demonstrators
free of charge.”

It is suggested by the Dominion Executive that the various
District Committees should arrange for this instruction in First Aid
as it is essentially part of the policy of the W.W.S.A. that every
member should, if possible, have some instruction in this very import-
ant work. The cost of the bandages, books and other necessary material
would be borne by the trainee.

SIGNALLING: The following is a copy of letter received
from the Director of National Service:

“The Military Authorities have brought before my notice the
necessity for instituting a system of control over all
signalling.
At present reports are frequently received of signalling
which may be, and usually is, quite legitimate. Nevertheless,
as there is no record available of any signalling which may
be taking place all these reports have to be investigated thus
causing a considerable amount of unnecessary work.
To avoid this it is proposed that when it is desired to
carry out any signalling the organisation concerned should
advise the local Army Area Officer. He should be informed of
the time, duration and type of signalling proposed and the
location of both the sending and receiving stations. Signalling
should not commence until his authority has been obtained.
Will you kindly bring this matter before the notice of
your District Committees and ask that they should ensure if
signalling training is carried out by any classes, the directions
given by the Military authorities shall be complied with.”

District Committees and Sub-centre Committees are requested to
see that the foregoing instruction from the Director of National
Service is strictly complied with.

BADGES: Supplies of Badges are expected to be forwarded to
District Committees during next week. These badges are to be charged
at 1/- each. District Committees are requested to forward a cheque
for the payment of these badges to the Central Executive on the first
day of each month, stating how many badges have been sold and the
stock remaining in hand as at the last day of each month. Sub-Centre
Committees Committees will, of course, receive from and be responsible
to District Committees for the supply of badges.

RETURNS OF REGISTRATIONS: District Committees are requested
to forward weekly returns of [registrations] to this office. Special
forms for this purpose are being posted under separate cover.

AMENDED CONSTITUTION: Copies of the amended Constitution of
the W.W.S.A. will be forwarded to District Committees within a few
days. A copy for each member of the Committee and one for filing in
the Minute Book is being sent. Further [copies] that may be required
for Sub-centres will be forwarded on [request].