DOMESTIC WORKERS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 195, 15 May 1936, Page 10

DOMESTIC WORKERS

Stigma Attaching To Occupation EDUCATIONAL PROBLEM The stigma attaching to the title of domestic worker was referred to by Miss C. Robinson, of Christchurch, at the New Zealand Technical School Teachers’ Association conference at Wellington yesterday as an urgent matter which was occupying the attention of women’s organisations not only in New Zealand but throughout the world. Miss Robinson said that because of this stigma, capable girls would not take up domestic positions offering. She felt that technical colleges were the bodies most capable of dealing with the problem which existed. Miss Robinson put forward a remit from Christchurch—“ That considering the difficulty of obtaining efficient domestic workers aud of controlling conditions of work, the Education Department be urged to take steps toward the establishment of effective domestic training colleges in conjunction with technical colleges in suitable centres.” Miss E. M. Higgins, of Christchurch, who spoke in support of the remit, said there was a need for the further training of domestic Workers beyond that given in the technical schools. In her opinion, the rather despised nursemaid of a few years back had become the Karitane nurse of to-day. She thought this was due to the inauguration of the Karitane nurse training scheme and many women could not see why a similar scheme for domestic workers should not be successful. It would help to remove a stigma attaching to what was one of the most honourable professions a woman could follow. The remit was approved unanimously.