DOMESTIC PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 283, 27 August 1935, Page 16

DOMESTIC PROBLEM

“Must Be Replaced by a Better System”

HOME SCIENCE WORK Au outliue of the broad lines on which home science training will be organised when the new’ home science wing of the Wellington Technical College is complete, was given by the Director, Mr. R. G. Ridling, at last night’s meeting of the College Board of Governors. ‘‘A letter from the secretary, Women’s Social Progress Movement, requires that the board should outline its proposals for training of girls and women when the new home science wing is completed,” Mr. Ridling stated. “The letter states the league’s object as-‘the raising of the economic and social status of those engaged in domestic work.’ It is a somewhat comprehensive objective, but this board is concerned only in so far as the training both general and special is concerned. “The training will be organised on the following somewhat broad lines: — “Girls, 13-14 years. Home science course.—This will be quite similar to the course operating at present, but use will be made of the laundry and laboratory as well as the cookery and dressmaking workrooms. “Girls, 15-16. Home science course. —This will be just as specialised as our present course, and will aim at applying the work learned in the workrooms and laboratories durirg the first two years, as well as extending that work. The full range of equipment will be in use, and general management of a house will be taught in the practice flat. If the enrolments are sufficiently large, there will be specialisation along definite lines—for dressmaking, for cookery and confectionery, for home craft, etc. Such an a; mgement will allow for general or special training.

“Evening school.—Under ordinary conditions the work done during the evening will be similar to that done in the day school. It will be divided into courses, and home craft will be a subject of the course, but will be open to older girls who have previously passed the elementary stages in the various subjects. It will be recognised that, except where students have done the preliminary work in the day time, the course must take longer because of the limited time available. Short Specialised Courses.

“It will be possible with the improved facilities to conduct short full-time courses of a very practical nature for students who have had sound preliminary courses and are able to spend the day in training. Such a course will embrace all the higher branches of the work in the subjects—science, cookery, needlework, dressmaking, laundry work and home craft. The major part of this will be carried out in the workrooms, but the practice will be supplemented with whatever explanation is necessary to enable students to develop a genuine and intelligent interest in the work they undertake. Such a course should, in so far as this college is able, satisfy the requirements of the Women’s Social Progress Movement. It should meet the requirements of those who intend to set up homes for themselves as well as those who propose to use it as a profession. “The economic conditions in New Zealand are such that I see no possibility of the maintenance of the muchdiscussed domestic problem. The old, almost feudal character of the system has gone, and it must be replaced by a better system. The employer must recognise by now that the indifferent service given under Hie old system is uneconomic and should be prepared to pay for assistants who can readily assist and who, if necessary, can take over complete control of the household.

“Certification of those who have carried out a specific course can be undertaken by the college, and prospective employers can be satisfied that the possession of the certificate issued indicated is that the holder has passed through a satisfactory period of training and has reached an efficient standard. Obtaining Positions. “The extension of the work of our present vocational officer will enable all students so trained to be placed in positions. Prospective employers, however, should realise that the efficiency of an assistant depends very largely upon tie suitability of employment. A fair arrangement of the hours of work and a fair remuneration are fundamental factors in any successful scheme.” It was decided to refer the report to the ladies' advisory committee. Mr. C. H. Chapman, M.P., said there was a certain amount of blame due to the employers of domestic labour because of their attitude to domestic work as “menial.” The girl who went into domestic service had to look forward to long hours and practically no recreation. Those people had only themselves to blame when they could not keep girls. The girls were practically at the mercy of the employer. He emphasised that a fair arrangement of hours and fair remuneration was desirable. With that the domestic problem would cease.

Mrs. A. McVicar and Mr. L. AV. McKenzie contended that the position was not as bad as Mr. Chapman had stated it to be.