Evening star., 1941-06-29
Canadian Women Ask
Bigger Part in War
By Ruth Cowan.

TORONTO, Ontario, June 28.-Amer-
lean women who are giving Uncle Sam
the filters asking What can I do in ma =
tlonal detense?" can take heart that
north OF the border Canadian women
have the same problem.
In tact, Canadian women are giving
their government something of a head
ache with their insistence that more
consideration be given to what they
can do-and are doing.
And the Canadian women, working
through their clubs, the Red Cross, and
organized into uniform units, have an
amazing record of voluntary accom-
pllshments.
Anxious to Do More.
But their leaders know there is du-
plication, overlapping, wasted energy,
frustration-and they are eyeing the
men folks IN the government with that
look that means: do something about
it."
1here is eagernesS among the women
Canada at war year and 10 months
should be getting on with the job bit
faster, and they believe they could help
speed it up.
Uniformed women have drilled faith
fully for the chance that now, somewhat
begrudglngly. is being permitted them by
the government-overseas duty. Not
only do the women, their Spokesmen re-
late, want to go over themselves, but
many want to see their men folks in ac-
ton.
Canada Will do its full share" might
be taken as their motto in this large
and important province in which is CEN
tered the national leadership of a num-
Der of leading womens organizations.
Going Into Factories.
But, through it ali, women want recog-
milton for their participation. They are
sewing, preserving, knitting. They are
making rif1es-going into factories to
offset the labor shortage. City girls are
learning to milk COWS.
Mrs. J. G. Althouse, past president of
the Womens Canadian Club of Toronto,
one of the most important units of the
Association of Canadian Clubs, was out
spoken in her demand that women be
given more recognition.
I'VE feel that we are being held down."
she said.
Her attitude is shared by Mrs. H. P.
Plumtre, national commandant of the
Canadian Red Cross Corps and one of
the most distinguished women in the
British Empire. Educated at Oxford,
highly decorated for her services in the
last war, she was Canadian delegate to
the League of Nations and member of
the Toronto City Council for four years.
Men" she said little sadly, ARE slow
to appreciate the abilities and contribu-
tions of women
Says Men Are Fearful.
Margaret P Hyndman. barrister and
one of but two king counSelors in Can
ada, had another slant. Men remember
the progress women made at the time
of the last war and are fearful to give
them too much ground this time, she
held
Miss Hyndman directed the voluntary
registration of women, project that
grew OuG VI d IlldOo AlCrtAliS Vi wv AAe'
tionally organized women's organizations
held on the eve of the war.
In five provinces, thousands of volun-
teer helpers card-indeXed the abilities,
training, jobs and professions of a mil
lion Canadian women. Results of the
registrations have been made available
to the Dominion and provincial govern
ments.
The Dominion government conducted
q national registration last August OF
every one over, 18 years of age, but
women say it is not so complete as the
one directed by Miss Hyndman, and they
take pride in relating that the govern
ment has had to turn to their records
at times.
The government is not unmindful of
the grumbling of its women folks to be
allowed a larger and more vital part.
Ofhcials have announced they are work.
ing on plans to utilize woman-power and
vomens organizations-and that should
sound familiar to the ears of American
women.
Room for improvement.
Prime Minister Mackenzie King said
right after the recent appointment of
Joseph T. Thorson as Minister of Ma
tional War Services that there was room
for improvement in coordination OF
women's activities. He added-with a
snlile-that that would be one OF Mr..
Thorsons first jobs.
From talks with Mr.. Thorson and
several other officials, 1t seems that the
plan percolating in their minds relates