WOMEN AND WAR WORK HOW POSTS ARE FOUND. THE SERVICE BUREAU.

It is generally recognised by those who have taken any active part in organising efforts to bring the willing women workers into touch with the employers demanding them, that what may be termed the feminine mobilisation would have been more rapidly effected if the Government had not made the Labour Exchanges the exclusive medium of communication. In March last, when the first appeal was put forward for women to come forward for munitions, leather craft, and brush making, these exchanges were taken by surprise and many were quite incapable of dealing with the situation. Those directing them were often unfitted by knowledge and by manners for the guidance of educated and enthusiastic women. In the ten months that have intervened they have greatly improved, and have, moreover, climbed down from an attitude of aloofness to welcome the collaboration of societies and organisations much more fully in the confidence of thoughtful women.

In this connection the report of the Women’s Service Bureau, which is a development of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies, when it called a truce in regard to its political propaganda work is of much interest. It brings the record to the close of the year, and some conversation with the ladies who have been chiefly concerned with the actual registration and placing out of those who presented themselves as desiring some kind of useful labour was extremely interesting. As they have personally interviewed and advised in almost every individual case, they have gained an insight into the feminine mind that shows how loyal, how patriotic, how real has been the desire to be of help in the Empire’s need.