HOUSEHOLD HELP

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22143, 13 July 1937, Page 5

HOUSEHOLD HELP

TO THE P.niTOB OP THE PRESS. Sir,—Dr. O’Brien’s remarks about the falling birth-rate in New Zealand are very serious, but the chief cause of this disastrous circumstance will remain unless some persons with brains and imagination can find some remedy for the domestic crisis. Young women who could have children are confronted with the impossible situation of finding there is no available household help to tide them over that time of trial. It is absolutely useless to ignore this fact. There is no wife of a busy clergyman, or doctor, who knows the circumstances of a large number of homes, who will not endorse this statement. Unavoidable sickness has become a riost terrifying possibility for housewh.s in New Zealand. There is no help to be had anywhere. As to tpi your" mother, after paying extortionate charges for assistance while '■"ia *3 away at a maternity hospital, it is a fact that directly the taxi deposits her and her living bundle at her home the help announces an engagement, and taking her money, decamps. This is vouched for by the writer in several cases.

It is also useless to say the situation can be remedied by more respect

being paid to domestic helpers. When one of value is found the respect has not to be feigned. It is spontaneous, joyful gratitude. Nothing is too good for her. and, indeed, she is regarded literally as a gift frcm God. It is time, however, that the jokes in comic papers, including the delightful English ‘‘Punch." took notice that the present is a “class-conscious" age. Find some girls who are not ashamed to be household angels, or give us back the old simple nurse who can do a bit of housework, and the babies will arrive.—Yours, etc,. VICTORIAN. July 10, 1937.