THE HARDSHIPS OF DOMESTIC SERVANTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 179, 30 July 1900, Page 2

THE HARDSHIPS OF DOMESTIC SERVANTS.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—ln Thursday night's Star there Is a report from Wellington about domestic service and the growing dislike young girls have to it. Having had twelve years experience, I feel that there Is a great deal that Is unsatisfactory in the domestics' position, and I think it is time something was done in the way of shortening their hours of labour. There should also be a weekly half-holiday as girls have to work on Sunday, with-the exception that they generally have every other Sunday afternoon off from 3 p.m. till 10 p.m. Is it any wonder that girls shun service, when by working at a factory or any other employment they get half a day weekly and the whole of Sunday. I see a Bill was Introduced this session on the subject, but It was quickly thrown out, simply because, although it is needed, we haven't enough influence to ■ make ourselves felt. Then again servants are looked down upon by everybody almost. They cannot go to any' socials or amusements, because they have only one night out and are not generally finished their work in time to get to these places. It would be to the mistresses interests to give the girls a weekly half-holiday (which I expect they will not do unless.it becomes law) from .10 o'clock till 10 the same evening. I also think that from 7 o'clock In the morning until half-past six in the evening would be qiilte long enough .hours for any girl to work.- No doubt this suggestion will be met by the argument that dinner is hardly over until "that time. Just so; but might riot one of the children or the mistress dry the dishes so that the girl could be away at the latest at a quarter to seven o'clock? If I were only rich I_ would . start a home something like the one In "All Sorts and Conditions of Men." I suppose you will think this a lot of nonsense; but it is so easy to be educated nowadays (although I am not) that unless something, is done girls will' always try and find more congenial labour.—l am etc. "n.z.