A WOMAN’S NEEDS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 166, 9 April 1938, Page 9

A WOMAN’S NEEDS

Budget Of A Female Factory Hand NECESSITIES OF MODERN LIFE The simple needs of a New Zealand working girl excited some amusement in the Second Court of Arbitration, siting at Wellington yesterday, when an advocate explained that lipstick was one of the necessities of life in ii modern civilised community. The question was brought up in the hearing of the Dominion clothing trades dispute, when as a basis of the estimate of a suitable weekly wage for a journeywoman, Mr. J. Roberts, representing the workers, submitted to the court a table of the annual expenses of an average woman worker. "The function of the court, as we understand it, is to fix wages that will enable workers to support themselves in accordance with civilised standards of life, not merely on the bare necessities of life,” said Mr. Roberts. “We have made careful inquiries from 20 women workers, ns to the yearly needs. We submit the following table, showing the minimum required by a woman worker without dependents to support herself according to civilised standards of life.” The list was as follows Clothing. t Winter: Top coat, £-1/10/-; costume, £3/15/-: 2 jerseys. £l/10/-: winter dress, £2/10/-.; 2 skirts, £l/10/-; 2 blouses, £l. Summer: Light coat. £2: raincoat. £l/5/-: best dress. £2/2/-; evening dress. £3/3/-: washing frocks, £3; summer costume, £l/10/-; sports wear, £1 15/-: evening coat, £l/10/-; blouse, 10/-.

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Hats: Winter.—Best hat. 17/6; everyday wear. 15/-. Summer.—Best hat. £4; 2 everyday hats, £l. Footwear: 3 pairs everyday shoes, £3/3/-': evening shoes, £l/1/-; slippers, 5/-: repairs. 19/6. Stockings: Best silk. 3 pairs, £l/4/-; ordinary wear. 6 pairs. £l/10/-; tennis socks. 3 pairs, 4/6. Cloves: Woollen. 4/6: leather winter gloves'. 10/6; silk or fabric, 4/11; kid summer gloves, 12/6. Underwear: 2 pairs corselettes. £1 5/-: suspender bell. 5/-: brassieres,] 10/-: 4 petticoats. £1: 2 winter and 2 summer pyjamas. £l/8/-: bloomers and panties. £l. Miscellaneous Items. Umbrella. 7/6: aprons. 4/6: handkerchiefs. 5/-: bathing costume. 15/-; dressing gown. 15/-: clothes brush, combs. 3/-: soap. 10/-: face cream, 10/-: face powder. 15/-; lipstick. 4/-; tooth paste and brushes. 16/-: hair attendance. £2: renovations and cleaning. £l/1/-. Fares, £l3: reading and writing. £2 14/-: medical and dental fees, £5/4/-: nii’on duos. 13/-: recreation, £l4/6/-; ( -bnreh and charity. £2/12/-; annual holiday. £lO/8/-; savings, £6/10/-; insurance. £3/18/-: sundries, £2. The total budget came to £lB7/11/5 n year, or £3/12/- a week. "No allowance is made for annual loss iii wages: a minimum of one week’s unpaid leave for Christmas. stock-tak-ing. and on account of sickness.” said Mr. Roberts. “Various arguments have been advanced by employers in support of their contention that a woman can live on much less than the figures we give. Some contend that' women can live on lower wages, as they are supported by parents or busbands. Examination of actual facts will show that the vast majority of Women workers in the clothing trade are not only self-supporting, but in many instances have to support others, usually poor parents. Employers are not entitled to expect parents of workers to pay wages for them. We submit to the court our claim for £3/5/- a week.” , "I see lipstick is included.” said Mr. Justice Hunter, running his eye down the list. “Is.that one of the necessities of life?”. “I think it can certainly be regarded ns such. As I have said, these are not the bare essentials to keeping alive. but are the minimum requirements based on a civilised standard of living.” said Mr. Roberts. You also allow n shilling a week church money?—"Yes.” "No cigarette-money appears to be included." pointed out Mr. V. Duff, empl,>yers' representative. Mr. Roberts: That is included.in the £2 for sundries. "I do not think this court is competent to decide whether some of these articles of clothing mentioned can lie regarded as necessities or not.” said Mr. Justice Hunter. “But, never mind —we will do our best!’’