THE SERVANT QUESTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 213, 7 September 1900, Page 2

THE SERVANT QUESTION.

(To the Editor.)

SI?,— May I trespass on your paper re the servant Question. 1 have watcned with much interest tl»e various letters of mistress and maid. I should like to say my experience of girls to assist lias beeii a fortunate one. Of course, 1 cannot pretend that servants here in New Zealand are able to do their work as in the Old Country. There ft maid has her duties placed % belore her, ami knows that wiieu she has done her share of work she can rest or sew till her services are required again. I had a large experience of service m boudou and in Kent, and can truly say that a servant s life there cannot be compared to the colonies. A girl enters service here to assist; in hopes that her mistress will appreciate her efforts, she offers to do this, and help in that, but no sooner does a mistress ibid her maid haudy than she piles work upon work upon her, and ;it last in sheer despair the girl leaves in disgust, and seeks other means of earning her living. 1 know one young girl who wished to have a half-hour to sew in every day. She rose earlier and worked harder; but no sooner dtd her mistress iiud her at her work than she said, "As you have finished so early, you may do the 'windows, or bath-room, or stairs." Now, Is this reasonable or right? Having done her fair share of work, and done it well, why because she was diligent should she have more work given her? But a servant is supposed. to work morning, noon, and night. Some of them go home to sleep solely because their duties may end at an earlier hour. At one place where the girl slept at home she was supposed _to get there at 0 (on wash mornings at 5 a.m.), and the day's (?) work ended at 8 p.m. Can a girl endure this long? There are religious mistresses who busy themselves collecting for bible societies and missionaries, anil yet because they work their girls as I have'said cannot keep a girl. I have found no dittieulty In keeping my girls—really good ones—till they married, much to my regret. 1 have in my mind one of my girls who took charge of my house and six children during my absence at business each day, and served me faithfully for years. I always insisted on her doing a fair amount of work each day, so that she was at no time overworked, and then she was at libi oriy to do her own work. On Sunday she 1 left home at half-past 1 o'clock, returning by 8 on Monday. I think that no mistress should object to manage without her girl on Sunday afternoon and evening. Surely, with the'help of Sunday-school, her children can be managed for one day. I know of one place, a very hard place, where the mistress gave one day a month to her girl, but insisted that she come in at 5 p.m. to set tea-rthe girl left for her day out at half-past 10 a.m. On her third holiday she did not go back at r, p.m. On returning at hulf-past 9 the door was locked, and she had to week shelter elsewhere for the night. Need I say she promptly gave notice next day These are only a few of the many thi'iiL'S our poor, hard-worked girls have to suffer at the hands of so-called mistresTOS who arc unworthy of the name. Let the mistresses treat the elrls with firm kindness "Ivlng them :i fair consideration and some time to call their own. and there will be no lack of good girls, flood mistresses make good servants. In conclusion. I m.i> <<-iv I have mot with many uood mistresses who endeavoured to treat their girls by the -nod old golden rule. Theße always get satisfaction from their girls, for kindness wins kindness. Wore I now to keep ti fflrl 1 would give her hcuyweekiv half-holiday, imrt as much as I could of Sunday, for we foruet the Fourth Oommnndinent. in ir tliou shalt do no labour, nor thy manservant nor thy maidservant." Dona this not bar hot dinners and simpers, and all other unnwcssarv work on that day. and leave' our "iris at liberty to attend church, school, or visit home aiid friends, returning to commence work afresh for another week satisfled ami happy.-l am, etc.,

(To the Editor.'; Sir —Having been a domestic servant for 12 yearn, I ought to be a good judge of mistresses. I can honestly stiy that it is hard work to get into a real good place. Is there any comfort in being- constantly told that one has forgotten this, and that when one Is flying round all the time? What would you think of when busy mixins a cake being sharply called away to button mistress' shoes or curl her fringe with the tongs? Of course the cake is spoiled, and you are told that you are a perfect beauty of a cook. Is it not annoying? Perhaps if the lady glances over these lines she will recognise the writer. How dare that person signing herself "Madam" make such remarks about servants' dresses and gaudy feathers! Anyway whatever a girl buys she is honest enough to pay for. A girl wants some little encouragement. I Quite agree with my mates wanting a half-holiday a week. Then, again, who but a low-minded person would keep rank butter solely for her servant's table? No lady would, I am sure. What is most annoying Is the mistress' day at home. Is it not a pity she cannot find some other subject to discuss than the shortcomings of her maids? Of course a servant cannot have, her own way in service; but she does like to be treated with respect. Can a mistress do without a servant? I hardly think so. This is the sort of thins1 one gets on one's day out: Mistress places even*- obstacle in one's way, comes out to the kitchen wringing her hands and whining, "Oh, Mary! leave tho small knives polished and the candles ready; fill tho kettles and leave some small wood; and, oh! you might just brush my shoes. Remember, Mary, I have to get tea ready alone tonight, and before you go do bring me afternoon tea, forM am just dying for it." Pooh! I haven't time for them.—l am, etc.,

ANOTHER WEARY

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—l have for the past few days been reading ■with no little am^erac-nt the correspondence which hasfippeared In your columns concerning this question. The. correspondents have become- more and more excited, and will continue to do so, I suppose, until words, or space, falls them. It would bo rather amusing, I should think, to contrive a meeting between "Mistress" and one or other of her adversaries, "Slavey" or "Mary .lane," for instance, and then retire to a reasonable distance to watch the issue. "Hoopla," who wrote in your Monday's issue, seems, to ha,ve been struck with the humorous side of.' this question also. I should, however, like to transpose two of his answers in the following manner:— Q. What ought you to mind?—A. Everybody else's business. Q. What ought you not to mind?—A. My own business. It seems to me that the cause of all this •wrangling is the vei-y fact that servants and mistresses alike are minding: everybody's business but their own. 1 think that if the numerous correspondents on the servants' side were to attend to their duties more assiduously and not waste time in writing foolish letters, which can do them no earthly good, they would get oh much better with their mistresses and practically settle the servant trouble as far as they were individually concerned.—l am, etc., AN ONLOOKER.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—There having been so much correspondence lately regarding maid and mistress. I thought I should like to give my experience of domestic service if you will kindly permit me to do so. My object Is to show servant girls how little they have to complain about. I had a situation in Auckland for live years, and had a very kind and considerate mistress (she often told me so). True, I was a distant relation of hers, and on that account she may have been (if possible) a little more considerate to me than she would have been to another. My daily duties commenced at five a.m., and always end? Ed sometime usually about ten p.m. My mistress kept a few boarders, and as I was the only servant I had plenty to do, no washerwoman beins engaged. My mistress allowed she did most of the work herself, but most of her time was spent at auctions, cheap sales, etc. I have often killed a chicken and inside of ten minutes had It in the oven, rather quick work; but as none of the said chicken came my way'l did not mind. My wastes were 7/ per week, which, by the way, I never got, as I was always snubbed and told I should have to wait when I asked for money. There are nearly two years' wages owing to me yet, but my mistress was very honest and I know she would rather owe it to me than do me out. of it. She was very considerate too, and gave me an afternoon to myself every two or three months (Sunday afternoon of course), and M had a whole day to myself when I left, that is- nearly four years ago, and I have had ill-health ever since. My friends tell me I was overworked, but my mistress did not think so,

and told me afterwards how kind she had been to me. Hoping this will show some of your correspondents how ungrateful they are to land mistresses, and lead .them to be more contented and considerate in turn. ' CONTENTED.

(To the Editor.}

Sir,—ln my experience as a general servant for a number of years I have met all sorts of • mistresses, and I can speajrfrtrni experience that there are some very kind ones; but where you meet one lady you encounter dozens of nigger-drivers. J have had occasion to work for different classes of people. Some who have loudly professed Christianity 1 can assure you have been the worst kind to work for. With those I have come in contact with it has been a very easy thing for them to preach that Sunday is the day of rest; but if anyone could take a peep in the kitchen and see the poor servant,it would give them an idea of how it is observed as far as thedomestic is concerned. I have had occasion to work for a Jewish family, and 1 can without a doubt say it was the best place 1 have had. I had my Sundays to myself—more than I did when working for a clergyman's family. In one place I was at i was told I could have a fortnight's holiday, but before the time of my return deceived a letter saying they were going to engage a lady-help, and enclosing a postal note for's/, half a week's wages. This is one way of discharging a girl—not woman enough to say they did not require me any longer, they sent a milk-and-water letter: "Dear Jane, I am seeding you a reference and half week's wages. Trusting you will got on all right."—l am, etc.,

NATIVE OP AUCKLAND,

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Having read a statement In last night's issue of your paper written by

".Mary Jane" concerning Tauranga mistresses, I, as charwoman, lately from the place, having worked for the upper class of people there for many years, wish to contradict the charge. If ".Mary Jane" worked in Tauranga. at all. I think she must have worked for the lower 'class; as I am sure all the better class of people there certainly know how to treat a servant better than "Mary Jane" has stated. I have always found Lli« ladies of Tanrnnga very kind and charitable to their maids and any person they have any dealings with. Prom what the maids have told me, they think a great deal of their mistresses and respect them very much.—l am, etc.,

A CHARWOMAN*

To the Editor.)

Sir,—Having read tho many letters by servants, you will see it is, as I stated in my first letter, that the girls have their grievances, and as others employees have had theirs redressed it .is only a matter of time when something shall be done for servants also. Now, the only way, I think, is that the girls become known to each other, and hold a meeting to |see what could bo suggested by them re the half-holiday and shorter hours of labour. The fact of -the matter is Mr Soddon knows nothing whatever about the servant question, when ho told Mr Barclay that he did not know what he was doing to introduce a Bill like that, or something to that effect when he ventured to try for a half-holiday for domestics. The letters that have appeared in the "Star" lately by servants are quite true, as I have been through the same experiences myself. The whole trouble is that a good many employers cannot really afford to keep a servant, but do so, and then try and appear to be in the same position as those who are much better off. The result is that the girls are overworked and the mistress is worried also. As for the letter signed "Madame," I think it is very foolish. As if dress made a woman; I should have thought it would have shown hers to advantage. I am sure any stranger reading those two le'ttei-s by "Mistress" and "Madame" would not wonder at the girls being discontented. However I think it useless to keep up this correspondence in the "Star"; hut if all the girls who would like to try for the half-holiday and shorter hours of labour would send their names and addresses only to "N Z " "Star" Office, I should know by the number of names 1 received if it would bo of any use holding a meeting and laving a resolution before one of the members for Auckland.-l aui, etc., \7

(To the Editor.)

nr ;7 « servant girl, and on behalf of others in my position, I ask the favour of this letter to be inserted in your paper. raking- into consideration the hours we work and the people we work for, I think it is quite necessary that we should have the half holiday I would like to ask "Mistress" what" her object was in making: such allusions to the country girls, and if, as she says she didn t mean it in that way, in the fururc will she mean what she says Her letter showed what a fine specimen of a lady she is, and I am quite sure it would bo- the delight of any girl's life to live in the household she conducts. But perhaps .she is one of those creatures who is always on the look out for a girl, "couutry^glrl preferred." & never has one, for Ihe simple reason that she can't keep one.* Is she writing under a disguised name as "Madame?" If not, both have been tarred with the same brush, for their views and niggardly natures arc exactly alike in every respect. Owing- to the way they have been dragged up, we had, perhaps, better end the discussion by putting- it down to thenignorance. I would like to ask the ladies what their objection is with regard to the "half holiday?" Is it that we are over-paid, over-fed, or over-worked? The latter we certainly are.—l am, etc.. tONE WHO KNOWS."

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—ln your issue of Friday last, a little article appeared, signed "Madam," referring to servants' dress. ' "Madam" should remember there are decidedly two classes of servants. Ist. Those whose services are munilicently rewarded with 5/ per week 2nd. Those receiving 12/ and 14/ per week. The first-named are privileged to copy the mistress In clyeap designs. The latter, with a little saving and forethought, usually design and dress to suit themselves. "Madam's" little hint, far from being annoying, is rather amusing. She admits once being a servant. Was it necessary? One »would never expect sucb an epistle from any but an uneducated servant.—l am, t;l ' . AMUSED OBSERVER.

(To the Editor.)

Sh-,—l goo "Mistress" has made her apponranee again in your columns after an nUsence of a few days. I hope she is well rested after her last grilling. She seems to write with more respect towards us poor slaveys. I hope she will practise what she preaches by being kind to her own servant, and give licr the much-needed half-holiday a week; but I rather doubt it. "Mistress" says she was almost persuaded to forward her nddress, but 1 see she takes a second thought and signs herself "Mistress." Second thoughts are sometimes the best. I think they have been for "Mistress," for she might have got a warmer reeeptlou than she anticipated. It is a great pity "Mistress" did not confine her research to Chambers' Etymological English Dictionary before she wrote about- the ignorant country wenches. Again I say she is the igno.ra'nt one. Sir. she is right when she says she needs a Bible. I would advise her to get one at once, also the dictionary; and it must be a good one, —I am, etc.,

AN- ENGLISH GIKL.

[To prevent any further waste of space in our columns over this word "wench," we may say that the primary-meaning ol1 the word as given in Webster's International Dictionary (probably the standard work) is: "A young woman; a girl; a maiden." The word is further used, according to this authority, to mean "a low, vicious young woman;" but this is a secondary meaning, as is also its application in the U.S. to indicate "a coloured woman; a negress."—Ed.'■ E.S.] . • , "

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—This much-discussed mistress and maid question, which is inciting so many servants, not to strike, I hope, but to strike against injustice, wants more thorough investigation than the public generally are aware oi\ and I uin glad one has made a move in that direction. ■•Reform's" suggestions are, excellent, and I hope to see them carried out. For my own part, 1 rejoice we nre Hearing the age when nothing short of justice and mercy will be tolerated, and am glad those in service are even now demanding it. It has come none'too soon for that poor "inferior being," the household assistant. Will you permit me space,for a little of my experience? Although ftot a servant in the general sense of the term, I have had opportunity of knowing much of both sides ot! the question. Through failing health and the advice of doctors, I left the Old Country many years ago for this fair land; nor have 1 been disappointed as far as renewed health is concerned. But, alas for employment and employers! Although well educated and in possession of an excellent certificate of character from my former employers, and also in possession

of an excellent certificate from the church uf which I wiib a member, through being alonrt anil without influence, and, worst 01 •ill having ;i light purse, X found that n clerkship billot for me was not to be had (a disappointment). Fortunately I had been well trained in the art of housework, cooking, and useful sewing, so "I determined to rise above my disappointment and turn my hand to anything -I was equal to for an honest living, which 1 did; and my duties requiring me in different houses.l had every opportunity of knowing mistresses and maids. I have met with some ladies, but they are few. I have also met with some girls in service whom I could not put thenmistress in comparison with. Iruly they were superior in education and otherwise, and not one of the class f refer to had contempt for manual labour. On the contrary, the better educated they were the greater interest they took in their work, but my own experience, and that of many others, is that the more superior and well-prin-cipled a girl is, the more uncomplaining, willing, and faithful in the discharge of her duties, the more she is imposed upon and tyrannised over. "Why is it that those who are the most faithful, trustworthy, and conscientious in the discharge of their duties are the first to be imposed upon and taken mean advantages of? This, 'I think, is where much of the grievance lies. Such treatment naturally stirs up the righteous indignation of every self-respecting girl. "Zaiuiel" tritv? to find a remedy, and says, leave and get a better billet. If he knew all he would talk differently. I could instance cases of girls leaving under similar circumstances, and in trying to find another place found the chances 10 to 1 against them. "Why? Their late mistresses had been busy, and the poor girls were the sufferers. "Zamiel" may be surprised to hear this, but he would not be if he knew some of these so-called ladies as we do, who are or have been household assistants. I have known several who could not put two sentences grammatically together, whose talk was well charged with slang, and the gist of their conversation scandal, back-biting, and dress. I could write much more on the subject, but have already encroached- too far on your columns. Hoping the,advent of equality and sisterly love, irrespective of the weight of the purse, is not far otf,— I am, etc.,

A LOVER OF JUSTICE

(To the Editor.)

Sir —I think the above title should cease, and that of "Servant Reform" take ts phi co That a reform is needed, and oauiy, there' can be no doubt; Girls nowadays are not brought up to work. Since the public schools started, and education has become compulsory, girls consider-that when tnej have passed their standards they are then nt for teachers, and too good for servants; consequently, where are the servant girls to come from? How can we expect things to be different from what they are? \\ hat is really required are Government training schools,' where girls can be taught, besides reading, writing, and arithmetic, how to bake, cook, and scrub, and to find a pleasure in doing these things well. Lntil such be started, we may sigh in vain for efficient helps.—l am, etc.,

RIGHT-THINKER