EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 131, 3 June 1919, Page 8

EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN.

(To the Editor.) ■"■ir, —Tlio ideas on business employment for women expressed by "H.8.W." in an article in the "Star" of May 24 are evidently given after an unbiassed consideration of thp subject, and are not extreme in any way, but rathpr a plain statement of facts. The majority of men either do not or will not recognise tlii> fact that there were many women helping to support dependents before war broke out. Now. unfortunately, the number lias largely increased, anil it i= necessary and her duty for a woman to obtain employment, where she will receive the best remuneration and make use of her brains to the greatest advantage. It is suggested by some men that women should take domestic positions whether they be possessed of brains which in many cases could be used for the public and her dependents, or not, How many of these men would care to gc to the domestic class for their prospective wives, and obtain, in some cases, just a housekeeper, and not always a helpmeet and companion? Tor these women have not been in a position to take an interest in business and civic affairs. Vet another aspect is the self ishne»s of a large number of able-bodiec bachelors, who earn high salaries, live 01 the fat of the land, spend all their lcisun time in pleasure, and openly state tha they " steer clear " of single women, an< !do not intend to marry. "Why do thes men not go on the land, and perforr work for which they are more physical! , fitted than women and disabled soldiers These are the men who should move am make room for others, if the Govern ment makes no more provision for re turned men than it has done hitherto Many men state that women onl; ' wish to earn salaries in order to pu them all on their backs. This may hay been so in a few, very few cases, but i it not just to condemn the whole arm; of women workers on this account, am aware of bachelors who loudly advei Use the fact that they luxuriate in th most expensive si\ underwear, and epar no expense in their apparel generally, a the same time stating that niarriase. i too costly for them. Women should no be blamed for the of th Government, for the latter are the raus of the present situation, and all reasor able people should recognise this. Ai those women who took ur> business '"fo the novelty of the thing" after war brok out. have long since tired and droppe I out. leaving only those who need t I work in order to support themselves an. any dependents.—T am, etc., I PRE-WAR BUSINESS WOMAN.