WORK AND WAGES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 299, 11 September 1908, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

SOMEN'S EMPLOYMENT BUREAU. . . REPORT. The following reports from the 'Women's ' Employment ■ Bureau appear in tho current niimher •nf the Labour Department's ; -Journal": — /..WELLINGTON. ; 'A total of 68 women were assisted during the month. 28 of whom were married. A larger number of general servants than usual—viz., assistedi. Eleven house- " maids,- 10-chaiwomenj 5 liitoheninaids, ,7 cooks, arid 5 nurses were ■ also found • employment. 1 Other classes assisted included married couples, typists, housekeepers, and com- , panions.- Applications from employers'have been received for blouse hands, whilst dentists' ' and photographers' * assistants await engagement.' l During the: month the steamers Mamari. and Tongariro were met, and, although most of the girls, aboard .had employment t'o go-to, or something ,in view, .'the- visits appear to be greatly appreciated, because of' tho • information .and •! advice . tendered.' The ruling rates.of wages, now asked by'generals are from : 15s.;'. and upwards per week,; m :the' city ; < an.-increased. wage, is demanded'for country work.. Charwomen receive'. 3s! for half»a day/, and- ss. '.per < day (with luich, etc.); housemaids, 15s. j.kitche'n- ' , maids, 14e. 6d. .to 17s. 6d. ; arid'lady-helps, 15s. ' It.is pleasing.to.report.' that' the' girls assisted .appear 'to - be a''.very'good ..class. •Every;effort' is made to "suit the employer, with suitable; girls,,. arid strict inquiries' are made as to the cause of leaving employment, so; that , the merits of .each case might _be , known for future''reference,, arid: those' girls who'continually , change, from place' | tp_ place without - reasonable ■..-excuse', run the risk" of being black-listed. ■ '■U-'y'' : ' AUCKLAND., • Durfng.the month' 108 female workers were applied for by mistresses, and 67 applications were received from workers'desiring engagement. ' Out of this number 45 wore assisted to employment.: During Fleet' Week and tho preceding week , few engagements were en- ■ tered into, and maids'who were .out of work did ; not seek-, employment. After the. departure of the'Fleet-the'-assistance: of. the Department was. again invoked.. Of tho 67 applicants for workj- only '?13- classed themselves as "generals." The demand is still ; veiy-great. for. domestic' workers,, and' the wages offered run. from 12s. to £I,los. per week, with: good homes and every reasonable latitude-as to : hours and holidays. • Next to general servants,' housemaids, waitresses, and cooks have : been most in request. , ' 'j, . CHMSTCHUR.CH. .'. ' Business, for' tbe'past; month has been satisfactory, from every point of view. Assistance has" been given to 63 women in various classes, and all have been perfectly Satisfied with the employment-which has been found for; them, . and complete; satisfaction : has. been expressed by employers to whom help has been sent.' Employers'of. all kinds of labour are applying to tho Departinent, and at present .tnero are vacancies on tho. books for all classes of servants, iand- ' no woman need bo uriemploj-ed except from choice. ■ . • v DUNEDIN. . The amount of business transacted con-' »|\iuues to increase, fifty women and-girls hav- - V-'i'ig' ■been assisted ,to employment during the y month. The number of women applying for employment: totalled 110. General servants to be most in demand, 89 being for .-by employers. A total of 152 assistants were applied -. for. ' ■ .;. . SUMMARY. ' . " The women's bureaux for the month ending August 22 have assisted a total, of 228 women, and girls, with 21 dependents. Of t this: total, 42 were married and 186 were single women. . In addition, 18 persons were , sent; to work who/had been previously as- ' nsisted this year; •