CP.
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Home Intelligence Special Report No. 33
4th November, 1942
PUBLIC REACTIONS TO THE CAMPAIGN FOR VOLUNTARY RECRUITMENT FOR THE WOMEN'S AUXILIARY SERVICES
The public, as a whole, does not seem to be aware that this campaign is in progress, and little information is forthcoming as to what people think about it. Certain fairly strong feelings are, however, expressed on the question of campaigns for voluntary recruitment in general, as well as on the subject of people who are thought to be evading their responsibilities.
Reports have so far been received from only eight Regions, (Northern, North Eastern, North Midland, London, Southern, South Western, Wales and North Western). These reports are summarised under the following headings:
(A)
The public's reaction to
:
The posters
: None have been noticed in any Region except the North Midland, where they are described as “pretty, but not very seriously considered”.
Press advertisements
: All reports indicate that these have attracted very little attention. Of the apparently small number who have noticed them, a few think they are good; others criticise them on the grounds that they are not forceful enough; that they contain too much reading matter; or that they would be more successful if directed to men.
Window displays
have been mentioned in only three reports, but in these they are said to arouse more interest than other forms of publicity. They are considered more effective when arranged in an empty shop than as part of the window display in a woman's store; here, one report suggests, they seem to induce a sense of anti-climax in the woman who is looking for hats.
(B)
Sections of the public apparently untouched by the campaign
:
“
Upper middle-class women
”: Five reports indicate that the public believe that what are described as “young women in the middle strata of society, from better class homes”, who are “neither obliged to earn, nor feel it their duty to volunteer” are quite untouched by the campaign.
Servicemen's wives, and particularly officers' wives
: When these “bother to express their point of view”, it is said to be: “My husband's in the Army; I don't see what more they expect of me”. (Four Regions)
Women who are willing but are discouraged or prevented by their employers
: In many cases such women are said to be afraid that if they volunteer they will not get their jobs back after the war, and would actually welcome conscription for this reason. (Three Regions)
Women who would lose financially
by joining one of the Services. (Three Regions)
Those doing voluntary work
, who feel that this is sufficient. The W.V.S. is particularly mentioned. (Two Regions)
Women in rural areas
: (One Region)
(C)
Places where a reserve of potential volunteers is thought to exist
:
Region 1.
Jesmond Hill and Gosforth in Newcastle
Darlington
Scarborough
Region 6.
Aldershot and district
Region 8.
Dolgelly
Llangefni
Llangeitho
Porthcawl
Haverfordwest
Holyhead
Bangor
Region 10.
Southport
Bolton
Villages round Carlisle
The Lake District
Blackpool
Macclesfield
While it is believed that a number of unemployed women may be available in these districts, it is not suggested that they would respond to a voluntary appeal. There are thought to be “a lot of women who ought to volunteer” (or be released) who are at present employed in retail shops, by Government departments and Local Authorities, and as domestic servants. Though all the categories referred to in section (B) above are believed to be “mines of possible volunteers”, it is thought nevertheless that only compulsion will dislodge them.
(D)
The attitude of relatives - and particularly men - to women joining the Services
:
(i)
Servicemen
, according to three Reports continue to object strongly to their wives joining the Services. The public, on the contrary, are said to feel otherwise, particularly about officers' wives.
(ii)
Men in general
are said to object for these reasons:
Fear of their wives being “drawn into love affairs”. Dislike of lack of home comforts resulting from wives being away.
Men feel it to be a reflection on themselves if their wives have to work.
Some say “It's the thought of home that keeps me going”.
(iii)
Parents
, according to three reports, are still said to be uneasy about the morals of the womens' Services. Though talk of immorality has evidently decreased to a considerable extent, possibly as a result of the present campaign, it appears to have revived a little in some areas. It is thought, however, that such talk may only be used as an excuse for not volunteering or not allowing girls to volunteer. “The clause about the Government's responsibility for maternity expenses” should, it is thought, be omitted from the forms which are given to single girls entering the Services.
(E)
The public's general reactions to voluntary appeals for women power at the present time
:
These appear to be definite and clearly defined:
Such appeals are considered a waste of time and money.
All who are likely to volunteer have already done so.
All the women needed should be got by compulsion.
It is unfair “always to put the burden on the willing horse and let the selfish escape”. (This is reported to be the reaction of a large section of the public to all appeals.)
(F)
General suggestions
Campaigns for the voluntary recruitment of women are said to be adversely affected by the belief that:
There are “many more young men who could be put into the Services first”; for example, many of those in the N.F.S. and the Civil Defence Services.
There are plenty of girls “kicking their heels in factories, with practically nothing to do”, who could be drafted into the women's Services.
“Some women already in the Services complain of having little or nothing to do”.
Some of those who have volunteered have not yet been called up.
Those who volunteer “do not get their preference”, as do those who are conscripted.
There are too many women in “funk-holes like Torquay and Harrogate who are still having a good time”.
