DOMESTIC PROBLEM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 249, 21 October 1935, Page 11

DOMESTIC PROBLEM.

POSITION IN DUNEDIN. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) DUNEDIN this day. Competent domestic servants are extremely difficult to find in Dunedin. All available women have been placed, and it has been necessary in the past two months to advertise for "capable help" for the first time for some years. It is the only occasion within the four years' experience of Miss Coesmith, the secretary of the Dunedin Women's Unemployment Committee, that there has been such a dearth of middle-aged women servants. Single women, of various ages, have been engaged as soon as they have proved their ability, and there are many opportunities nowadays to obtain a position in a really good home, for a conscientious woman, who is really anxious to work. Such a person can be placed at any time.

The experience of the vocational guidance officer has been a similar one in respect to obtaining experienced eervants. It is also found difficult to interest girls and young women in this kind of occupation. There is a definite trend away from domestic service, preference being shown for factory and office work, with regular hours and prospects of wage increases. Inquiries for servants are received daily, and many attractive positions are available, but still young persons on tlie labour market decline to interest themselves in these offers.