WOMEN AND LABOUR

PROMPT RESPONSE TO THE CALL FOR WORKERS (Rec. March p.m.) London, March 20., The Government's invitation to women to. apply for employment in industries to cope with "war needs lias caused considerable excitement amongst employable women. The trader unions declare that forty thousand- women • are normally wage-earners. The unemployed claim that thoy should be absorbed before presumably economically independent women are introduced'into the labour market. The morning papers announced' the scheme, and a steady stream of applicants soon commenced. .Seven'hundred registered in London, the ''majority, being of the middle class, including many, wives who worked before-'jnarriage: The Board of Trade is not -sure of the extent of the response, of employers upon whom the' success of the scheme ultimately rests;.: It; isv uucer-; tain whether the bulk of the employ-' ers ,will seriously consider the duty of substituting female for male labour in the national interests.;; It is suggested; the Government might lead the way by releasing thousands of the clerical staff. The employers. have been asked, to consider the reinstatement of the men after the war. Harrod's have approved the scheme. Already 900 of their staff have enlisted,: and 300 eligibles remain; Girls are working the lifts and packing parcels, and the firm is considering whether' they might also 6erve groceries and slice, bacon.—"Times" and Sydnej "Sun" Services.' - •