WOMEN WHO EARN

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 106, 7 May 1931, Page 12

WOMEN WHO EARN

Self-supporting women manage to live in better state on less money than men in like positions. A survey of some 14,000 members of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women'sX'lubs fixes the average income of these women at £300 per year. Half of the 14,000 are earning more than this amount. Half are earning less. • The stipulated sum is the average. "The figure is far from impressive." says Dr. Margaret Elliott, of the federation, "when consideration is given to the fact it represents the harvest of the work of a group of mature, experienced women, half of whom have been Working more than thirteen years. What would be impressive is a cross-section picture of how those 14,000 women use their five or six pounds a week in comparison with a similar cross-section of men earning the same money. More comfortable living quarters in better sections of town or city. Better and more nourishing food. • Far greater cultural life. Their savings bank accounts out-number the male workers ten to one. Not what we earn but how we use our earnings will tell the story of who's who in the economic world fifty years hence. There is no use in men advancing the ancient alibi that their incomes are depleted by social customs which place upon them the burden of expense bearing. Women earners with a sense of justice and fair play sincerely want to carry their share of the cost of mutual pleasure or profit. The other sort of woman is not worth the money expended on her."