“TOO OLD AT THIRTY”

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 199, 20 May 1936, Page 7

“TOO OLD AT THIRTY”

Plight of British Women The problem of the woman worker who was “too old at 30,” and found herself unable to get a job in competition with younger women, was discussed at a conference organised by the Over Thirit Association and the London Council for Voluntary Occupation During Unemployment in London. "Growing old for the majority of women earning their living is a frightening tiling.” said Miss G. A. Rees, manager of the Great Marlborough Street Employment Exchange. “With few exceptions, they are exceedingly brave. Most of the unemployment insurance benefit goes in rent, and there is a very small margin left for food and such necessities as heat and light. "I have watched too often the smart woman go gradually downhill, physically ami mentally. Worry and anxiety alter her facial expression,

and her chances of competing with younger women, in spite of her better qualifications and her longer and wider experience, are rendered more difficult.” Miss Margaret Bomllield said that, in addition to the tragic cry. “Too old at 35.” these women had to face a desperate loneliness. The. must have an extension of club life. "If we can only help 19 per cent, of these women we shall have justified our existence.” she added. There must be another great crusade by women with comfortable situations or homes and security of tenure. Miss Helen Simpson, the author, .said there were three outstanding professions in which age did not seem to matter—novel writing, criticising novels ami broadcasting. “Our late King.” she said, “at 71) was one of the best broadcasters in the country.” Saying that she was positive domestice service could solve the problem, Miss Lilian Barker. Assistant Commissioner of Prisons, said': “I have had women say to me, ‘Why is it that, with all this unemployment, I cannot get a maid’?’ Well, I have a reputation for having a little pluck, but I cannot very well say to these women, 'Go and look at yourself in the glass.’” Miss Barker said that 90 per cent, of her ex-Borstal girls asked to go into domestic service.