WOMEN’S EMPLOYMENT CENTRE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21866, 20 August 1936, Page 8

WOMEN’S EMPLOYMENT CENTRE

10 THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir —Your correspondent “Fair Play’’ has certainly stated very clearly another side of the case as regards sustenance pay to women. “Fair Play” says: “I have worked in the training centre and found very little happiness among women, for those who cannot do heavy, constant work, and have indifferent health, feel thenposition keenly.” May I ask “Fair Play” why should they feel their position keenly, especially as she states that, through the kindness and generosity of Mr Armstrong, unemployed women now receive the princely sum of 4s a week towards room rent, as from last May. This 4s a week of course, we understand, is drawn from the unemployment funds, which by right belong to the people. ( Well, these sustenancepaid unemployed women at least can be assured of a roof over their heads, whether they can obtain a comfortable room at the Young Women’s Christian Association for the price of 4s a week or a third-rate room (which is more likely for the price of 4s) in the back streets of the city surroundings. However, my sympathy goes out to all genuine unemployed women, especially to the hundreds of women who, though unemployed, have not received financial assistance from the unemployment funds, “Fair Play” does not see why the experienced worker should object to working side by side with the little scullery maid, who may be years younger than herself, though entitled to the same privileges as regards sustenance payment. —Yours, etc., EXPERIENCED. August 19, 1936.