BOYS AND MAIDS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 868, 14 July 1910, Page 3

BOYS AND MAIDS.

IMPORTATIONS RESENTED. THE VOICE OF LABOUR. A small deputation from tho Wellington Trades and Labour Council waited on the Prime Minister yesterday to oppose suggestions that the Government should assist in the importation of domestic servants, and that hoys should be brought out from England at reduced fares for employment in the country. Mi. D. M'Lnren, M.P., said ho had been instructed to express the opinions of the workers on these subjects. The view taken generally by labour was that there was very little in the argument that the introduction of domestic servants would to any extc-ut assist mothers among the working classes. Their means were not sufficient for them to keep servants at any time, and it was thought that mothers should be assisted in some other way. The labour bodies had viewed with considerable approval the Prime Minister's proposals for assistance in times of maternity. If boy labour for the country were introduced flit status of agricultural workers should be better secured than it was at present. The effect af this proposal would be to enhance land values for tho benefit of a special class. A Rich Select Class. Mr. E. J. Carey, president of tho Trades and Labour Council, said the Trades Council did not want to see a wall built round this country, nor did they ndvocate an insular, unpopulated New Zealand. But, on behalf of the workers, they protcsltd against public money being spent to provide cheap and convenient labour for a rich select class, already well able to pay for their requirements. The council was not against immigration, but it was opposed to assisted imniigraton for tho especial benefit of tho privileged few. They took tho stand that if the conditions hero were such as would offer advantages to the working men of other countries over and abovo those lie enjoyed, then a flow of sturdy, adaptable immigrants would come here, ami there would bo no need for artificial aid. Tho workers' conditions should bo made marriageable conditions, and in a generation Ilia "empty-cradle" cry would not be hoard. Servants or Dogs? Mr. F. Revling, secretary of tlic Trades Council, said that in many houses domestic servanta wi-n, not treated like human beings—they were treated like horses. 51 r. M'Laren said there was a tendency right throughout. New Zealand to reduce labour in all industries practically to casual labour. Pri'ne Minister in Reply. Tho Prime Minister said that the representations made would be fully considered by tho Government. With nil duo respect to the views expressed by the deputation he thought that something must be done in the matter of domestic servants. The "select" section of tho community referred to had on the whole no difficulty in getting servants, and keeping them, because they could pay more than tho others. The people wnu required to be considered were the small wage earners of the middle class, whose incomes ranged- from .£l5O to £m per annum. There was no doubt that the dearth of domestics was having a bad effect upon maternity and the birth-rate •-at least that was evidently the case from tho information and views that had been placed before him. He felt satisfied that the system of helping single girls to this country that had been in vogue for six or seven years past had done no harm to the workers' generally, and had benefited a great manv people of the middle class. It was the duty of tho country to assist tho increase of population, and at tho rate of increase of a few years ago. unless it was supported by an additional number from outside, • the point was approaching when it would have to be necessary to limit the output of the factories, because they could not otherwise be kept working. The Government should therefore do everything it could, legitimately, to promote itn increase iu the birth-rate. It was a tremendous problem. Real Source of Supply. The real source of supply to look to foi domestic servants was oiir own girls. These should bo given a natural desire to take tip Hie domestic side of life, but if that desiro wa3 to be inculcated in them a beginning should be made in the schools. The school curriculum would possibly require to be altered for that purpose. Mr. M'Laren said he had been informed that many of the women and girls who came out here ostensibly for domestic service took up tho work of seamstresses, and had brought down the rate of wages hi that trade. The Prime Minister said he knew nothing of that, and he would have the mailer looked into. He fully recognised that a section of tho workers could not afford to pay for domestic servants, but lie thought that, as a matter of fairness and policy, tho deputation would see that Mie other section should be considered. He believed that the legislation that would bs brancht down this session would be of material assistance to workers receiving under .£2OO a year. Tho questions of maternity and domestic servants required to be considered together. If the worker could not afford a. general help, assistance could be given in another way durine times of maternity. It would cost a good deal to do if, but ho thought they could afford it. There was no reason why New Zealand should not bo the first country to make a departure of this Boy Labour, With regard to the importation of boy labour, he was against anything that might be an approach to indenturing labour. He thought that it would bo a

mistake to flood the market with such boys, ami he did not think tho Government would agree to anything of the kind. "If farmers cannot get the requisite labour to enable them to carry ou their occupations," said the Priinn Minister, "is it desirable in prevent them from getting a small number of boys, if a fair rale of pay is fixed and their home-keeping properly provided for? Is it a mailer "of sound policy in tho interest of tho workers that the extra productivity of the land should be stopped far .want of workers?"' The Government had not come to any final decision on (he suggestion to allow fifty boys to come out at reduced rates, but the Labour Department had reported that employment could bo found for them at fair rates of pay, and that provision could be made for their proper treatment. Mr. Carey: We don't dispute tho position in regard lo fifty. The Prime Minister said the whole difficulty was that young fellows could not bo got to go from the towns into the country. He would discuss the matter with his colleagues in its various aspects, and it would receive full consideration. Mr. M'Laren asked if something could not bo done to improve the status of domestic service, and to provide that girls brought out for domestic service should remain with their employers. The Prime Minister replied that the latter suggestion would interfere too much with the liberty of the subject. No law could compel people to take one particular walk in life.