DOMESTIC PROBLEM.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 131, 4 June 1923, Page 5

DOMESTIC PROBLEM.

CAUSES OF THE SHORTAGE. GIRLS IMPROPERLY TREATED. (Received 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 3. A witnow at the Ministry of Labour's inquiry declared that migration to Australia and elsewhere largely was responsible for the eerioue shortage of domestics. Other reasons were that the treatment compared unfavourably with that accorded shop girls. AVhat was wanted was freedom to use the bathroom, permission to receive visits from a sweetheart in the home of the mistress, better regulation of hours, and also the prevention of loneliness by the establishment of a domestics' club. Many objected to the inconvenience, and indignity of being compelled to have a bath in their own small rooms when they could easily use the bathroom. It was shown that scores would not enter sen-ice because of the class prejudice between serivants and business girle. J Other points of the inquiry included a I statement that one town in Wales wm overflowing with domestics, and vras unable to place half the applicants. In another town more domestics married than other classes, and many were married within six weeks. One witness said that there was a big black list of mistresses where offices would not send domestics on account of their treatment. He was convinced that mistresses were no longer the good ! housekeepers they used to be. A training course for mistresses was wanted.— ! (A. and N.%. Cable.l