DOMESTIC HELP

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24053, 15 September 1943, Page 4

DOMESTIC HELP

NATIONAL SERVICE SUGGESTED

DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER (P.A.) • INVERCARGILL. Sept. 14. The importance of national steps being taken to overcome ‘the scarcity of domestic help for mothers was emphasised by a deputation representing women’s organisations which met the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) in Invercargill this evening. Suggestions were made that a national domestic aid service should be established to provide assistance in homes for mothers in cases of sickness and distress. . „ In his reply Mr Fraser said that if the Government were returned he would devote his attention to the establishment of a service of domestic help. In the past only those people who could afford to pay lor domestic help obtained it; The great-majority of persons could not afford any assistance. The deputation had gone beyond that in asking for a service to be available for all, irrespective of financial position.

The old ideas of domestic service were passing, the Prime Minister said. At one time domestic servants were sometimes kept working long hours in what almost amounted to a form of slavery. It was how realised that domestic service should be made reasonably attractive, with conditions comparative with other forms of service. He approved of the idea of making available for times of emergency in homes women who would give much-needed assistance. The workers would have to be enrolled voluntarily, because much better service would be given by such workers if they were not directed, to that employment. It was the country’s duty to look after the welfare of mothers and children. If girls could be taught to appreciate the importance of the work they could do in domestic service they might readily undertake such work. It should be emphasised that domestic service was a dignified profession. When women and girls were being released from the armed, forces it might be possible to encourage them to undertake domestic service.