SHORTAGE OF TYPISTS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25272, 26 August 1947, Page 2

SHORTAGE OF TYPISTS

KEEN COMPETITION BY EMPLOYERS

There is an acute shortage of typists in Christchurch. This was agreed by employers in a very wide field of occupations who were consulted yesterday. They also agreed that there was keen competitiin for staff. But there was a sharp division of opinion when questions were asked about the bestserved offices. Employers in the business community complained that Government departments were offering more than award rates. Public Service representatives were adamant that no more than approved service rates were being offered. They added that payment on the higher scale was made only to typists who had qualified for the senior Public Service examinations. Both sides were firm in their convictions; but all were reticent about being quoted. Mr H. F. Butland. secretary of the Canterbury Employers’ Association, said that he had received protests from members that Government offices were advertising for typists at rates higher than the award which was binding on employers.

It was stated at the office of the Clerical Workers’ Union that the maximum wage forfemale typists, according to the award, was £4 3s lid. A spokesman for the Public Service said that State departments paid up to £275 a year, according to qualifications, on the Public Service scale. Educational institutions were asked about the supply of typists. They said the demand was very keen and attributed the shortage to the low birth-rate during the depression, the present expansion of Government departments and industry and commerce, and the availability of a wider range of occupations for young people with initiative. \ A firm of stock and station agents reported a recent case of a girl not yet 16 years of age who had left their employment to become a Government typist at more than £5 a week. It was stated that the regular rate for young women of six or seven years’ experience was below this. Another office stated that a young woman receiving £5 a week had recently left to earn £1 a week more as a Government typist. An engineering company’s manager said he had recently called applications for a typist’s position. Two girls aged 19 years applied. One wanted £6 10s a week, and the other £5 15s a week. He did not engage either. “It makes a farce of stabilisation,” he said.

In Government departments it was stated that typists were paid strictly according to the approved scale. Office heads said that they considered the Public Service lost a number of typists to private concerns equal to those who joined the service from business houses.