HOME SERVICE ASSOCIATION

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22390, 2 May 1938, Page 2

HOME SERVICE ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL REPORT SHORTAGE OF DOMESTIC WORKERS The ninth annual report of the Home Service Association, which will be presented at the annual meeting this week, states that the acute shortage of domestic workers during the last 12 months had made the association’s ninth year one of the most difficult on record.

It says that while the country enjoys a period of prosperity, there are at once more people wanting to employ and fewer needing domestic work. It had therefore been difficult for the association to meet more than a percentage of the demands made upon it. The last annual meeting instructed the committee to attempt to have training provided for domestic workers. The committee called in representatives of other organisations, and a household service campaign committee was formed, with Mrs Ross Macdonald, president of the Home Service Association, as the committee’s president, and Miss C. E. Robinson vocational guidance officer, as secretary. Several meetings of this committee had been held, and tentative proposals had been brought forward. The secretary had drawn up a scheme which had been presented to the Minister, but nothing had eventuated—largely, no doubt, because the domestic service, as its conditions are at present, has little attraction for girls and women.

Service Attractive

It was thought that the independent spirit of the young girls of New Zealand made the idea of service in another person’s household quite unattractive to many—and until mistresses adopted a different attitude towards their workers, and conceded more to them (as employers in other industries had done) they could not hope to obtain or keep satisfactory workers.

The concessions, among others, suggested by the association are;—(a) Definite hours of work; (b) payment for overtime. It was known that some employers were already doing this, and were meeting with success. “Of course,” the report continues, “conditions of household work in the country being so very different from those in the town, we cannot make the same suggestions; we do know that many country mistresses are doing their utmost to consider the comfort and welfare of their employees. One of the aims of the association has always been to promote a sympathetic understanding between employer and employee.” Many Positions Filled

The hooks show that the association has filled 650 positions between March 1. 1937. and March 31. 1938. compared with 880 for the previous year. It is significant that since January of this year there has been a marked increase in the number of workers calling at the office seeking work. There were Indications that this year would be a far busier one than- the last. , The association was now in a sound financial position, principally owing to the generous donations received. These donations had enabled members to carry on and extend the philanthropic Work. Among other things this included assistance in the sale of handwork, knitting, etc. MATRON HONOURED

GATHERING AT JUBILEE HOME

FAREWELL TO MISS F. GILL

A large number of inmates, staff, and friends gathered at Jubilee Home on Saturday to bid farewell to Matron F. Gill, who has retired after 13 years* service* Mr L. R. Burgess, in eulogising the services of Miss Gill, referred to the high esteem in which she was held by Inmates and staff alike; standing as she did in the relationship of a mother to her family, she had fulfilled the trust of her position with credit to herself and the home. Mr H. J. Otley, chairman of the Hospital Board, and Mrs W. S. Bean, also spoke of the excellent work done by Miss Gill, and said that the hospital board had been confident that the home could not have had a more competent matron. Mrs Le Page, one of the inmates, expressed the regret of inmates who felt that they were losing one whom they had come to love and respect. As a tribute, and as a tangible reminder of her years at Jubilee Home, Miss Gill was presented with a fireside chair, an electric iron, and a toaster. It Is Miss Gill’s intention to live In Christchurch. The opportunity was also taken to welcome Miss Staunton, new matron of the home. Mrs W. Mackay and Mr W. Foster, of the Hospital Board, were among those present.

HARMONIC SOCIETY

SUCCESSFUL CHILDREN’S PARTY

On Saturday afternoon, a most enjoyable children’s party was given in the Durham Street Art Gallery by the ladies’ auxiliary of the Harmonic Society, in honour of Master Alan Loveday, the boy violinist, who will appear at the society’s concerts this week. The guest of honour and his mother were received by Mrs W. Machin, president of the auxiliary, who, on behalf of the auxiliary, presented Mrs Loveday with a bouquet The guest of honour delighted the large gathering with three violin solos, accompanied at the piano by Mr Noel Newsoru Mr K. G. Archer was master of ceremonies for the afternoon’s programme, which included part songs by the Woolston School choir, conducted by Mr G. Martin; tap dances by Billy and Biddy Pahi; character songs, “The Little Colonel” and “The Sick Doll.” Margaret Josllng; “Japanese Proposal.” and “Jack in the ,Box,” Beverley Crozier; “Pooh Bear and Rabbit,” Betty Burt and Jack Robb; songs, “Ah, Sid." Jack Robb: “The Flea." Betty Burt; and conjuring items by Mr Coates Accompaniment* were played by Miss Doris Webb.