UNEMPLOYMENT

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21120, 22 March 1934, Page 6

UNEMPLOYMENT

♦ WORKLESS GIRLS MEETING OF COMMITTEE A meeting of the Christchurch Girls* Employment Committee to consider preliminary suggestions for organising the work of helping unemployed girls, was held yesterday afternoon. The reports of sub-committees were received, and it was decided to commence operations on April 1. Miss E. M. Higgins presided. The report of the vpcational subcommittee, presented by Miss F. L. Cooper, recommended that registration cards similar to those used by the Boys' Employment Committee, but having an additional space for particulars of interviews with employers, should be used. This would mean that when a girl was sent to interview a prospective employer, it would be noted on the card. If it was found that a girl "had had several interviews and had not been engaged, enquiry could be made about her method of approach, and her bearing and dress could be studied, so that any apparent faults which might have biased emplovers could be corrected. The report also suggested that school committees should be circularised or called upon, and advised of the formation of the Girls' Employment Committee. The need for their co-operation and assistance should be emphasised. The report recommended further that the co-operation of the following bodies should be sought:—The Employers' Association, the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, the Canterbury Manufacturers' Association, the Warehousemen's Association, the Rotary Club, and those trade unions which had women and girl members. The report was received. Education The report of the educational subcommittee. which was also received, said that it would be the aim of the sub-committee to get into touch with girls who had left school and were without adequate occupation, and with girls who intended to leave school. The sub-committee suggested that girls who had no prospect of suitable work should be encouraged to join day or evening classes at suitable schools. If that was not possible they should be encouraged to join the classes already being held at the Young Women's Christian Association, or, if -they required domestic training, to attend at the domestic training centres.

The girls who had not left pchool should be advised to stay at school, if necessary transferrins to schools that provided the course best fitted for the occupation they desired to take up. The sub-committee had resolved to arrange a course of lectures in salesmanship for next term on the same lines as those already arranged for this term at the Young Women's Christian Association.