DOMESTIC SERVANTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 130, 25 February 1908, Page 9

DOMESTIC SERVANTS.

- A LETI'ER TO THE MINISTER FOR MBOUR. (DY iTELEGnATH.—I'ItESS ASSOCIATION.). \ ■ ■ Auckland, February, 24. : r A letter lias boon addrossed. to tho Hon. J. A. Millar (Minister for Labour) by tho organising secretary of tho New Zealand Women's Guild (Mrs. R. Geddes Ciaw ford), who' says:—• ' "I dosiro, on behalf of the Council of the above (juild, 'to. state - that,; being-; so much interested in- tho immigration- of- domestic servants, wo havo gathered some interesting facts, and are firmly, convinced that there is a crying need for-a suitablo class of youii" women: who 'will make; , not only good workers, ,-but partibularly, good colonists. Wo coiisidor, there is, therefore; niuch need of' a largo amount of -discretion ; and judgment necessary'in, tho'selection of the same. We would suggest:-. < ,' "(1) That if the Government will .pay:£l2, in'placo ot £9, as already paid,and use their- • influence'.! with. us tin; inducing. a firstclass shipping company to 1 reduco the. fares from £10.to £15 for domestic servants, provided - that on- an a verage GO bo' sent- out' in oacli steamer monthly for one year;'suitable young womon in the British'lsles would willingly .pay, £3 toward their, own. fare.;; r . _' '. ' . u (2)'.That ,-tho .Labour; Department invite all' employers; of domestic: servanty- who . are in- nced of the same,- to write, distinctly stating .their'requirements..';,.,t, ! -i '.'Realising- as we do. tho urgoncy"of. immeacton: on behalf of tho women of New' Zealand, -I again your earliest, attention ;bo;givei^k>'-thistimpbrt'ant'subje'ct.tSer-yarits lire so urgently -needed, that tho consequence of delay will bo the death of many more. Vwomen : : .through - overwork, and also many:unborn children." \