KEY POSITIONS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 130, 14 March 1930, Page 7

KEY POSITIONS.

£3OOO-A-YEAR WOMEN. In a chivalrous defence of the business capacity of women, Mr P. A- Best, the managing director of a well-known London retail firm, said recently that be knew of some women in the drapery trade who earned over £3OOO a year. But how far, says an English paper, do Mr Best's observations in a limited and specialised field apply to trade and industry in general.' It is undoubtedly true that there is still a strong prejudice against the employment of women in important key positions. ... i Many women have, of course, proved their ability beyond all question as directors, heads of colleges, and in various other high capacities. But these ate regarded complacently by most men as "exceptional," almost as freaks of nature. The fact is that it is still extremely difficult for an able woman to compete successfully with an able man for any really big job. The fight for spontaneous recognition is only a little more than just begun. It will not be effectively won until we are irrevocably face to face with a woman Prime Minister a woman judge, a woman archbishop, and a few women running in spectacular triumph some of the greatest industries in the land. Let us face the prospect with equanimity. It will not be the end of ajl things.