TRADITION BROKEN

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 124, 19 February 1941, Page 4

TRADITION BROKEN

Women Enter Shipbuildinq Work The war has brought trbout many drastic changes in ideas and the outlook of people regarding industry. A centuries old tradition has been broken down in Britain, with tin l 'present employment of women in some spheres of shipbuilding work, thus enabling large factories to carry on with their programme of greatly-increased produc-

Hon. tn one particuhir branch they have achieved undoubted sue<-ess, that of the motor-boat industry. This project of women's employment savours almost of a romance in industry, for the pioneer of the movement. Mr. 11. Scott Baine, had lo break down opposition to a craft that employed some of the aristocrats of the world's craftsmen. lie had also to adopt new untried methods in which a long view and careful coinmonscnse I treatment were essential. Tim success achieved could only come from Hie work of a man who could see into Hie future and who had the nation’s best interests at lieart. New ideas demanded new metistires. The call was made for girls, preferably daughters of men in the services, and the response was so good that the leaders from the outset soused .success, a country house and grounds nearby were bought ami equipped as a hostel and training school and :r girls’ house committee selected. Tlie girls sei tied down to a preliminary training to see if they were really titled for the work. Classes for study were formed, practical work begun and examinations held, and at (he end of a set period the final passing-out trials were given in ;r definite trade test to decide who were reallv lilted to the job. So Hie work goes on. and, as each batch passes to expert work, a fresh group miters and the factory continues its policy of speeding tip for Hie iinI ion's needs.