WOMEN WORKERS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 272, 12 August 1943, Page 3

WOMEN WORKERS

Maintenance Of Tram Tracks CITY COUNCIL DEBATE The proposal to employ women on the maintenance of tram tracks in Wellington led to an animated discussion when the report of the tramways committee came before the Wellington City Council last night. Pointed remarks were made concerning the retention in the Armed Forces of men who appeared to be doing little of practical value for the community while the services of 'women had to be sought to repair tram tracks in the city. Cr. E. M. Gilmer opened the discussion by inquiring what class of work the women were goiug to do. The mayor, Air. Hislop, said the women were not being directed by the manpower authorities, but were being asked to undertake the work voluntarily. There had been no request for their direction, but there was tin acute shortage of labour and some women were undergoing training by the tramways department for the work. A councillor: Will they be doing pick and shovel work? The mayor said the women would be employed easing in the broken edges of tram trucks and tamping them down. Cr. Gilmer said she would not like to see the women using picks and doing hard work digging up and carrying tram rails. There was a limit to what they could do. The mayor said that nothing would be asked of them which was beyond a reasonable estimate of their strength. The tramways manager, Mr. Hutton, said it was proposed to employ the women in four groups of four —sixteen all told. They would be asked to do nothing they could not undertake. It was a big relief to find that they had offered their services. Cr. W. Stevens said he had been astounded to read in the Press that the council was so bankrupt of male labour as to have to employ women, who would be in dungarees aud working clothes digging up the main streets of the city. It was a farce, and they would not be able to stand up to it. Surely the Government realized the position, that public safety was endangered and would release men for the work. The mayor said the labour situation was bad iu all the council’s departments. The number of dustmeu available was down by 50 per eent., and all round there had been a 75 per cent, reduction in strength. "Window-Dressing” Suggested. Very caustic remarks had been made, said Cr. It. McKeon, about the proposal to employ women on tram tracks, and before the council agreed it should know exactly what the women were goiug to do. There was an impression abroad that this action on the part of the council was ‘"window-dressing” to emphasize reductions in labour, which were general throughout the Dominion. There were insufficient men to fill completely both Army and civilian requirements. The council should co-operate with the Government to see how many men could be withdrawn from the armed services to do this work. He understood that the council could not get sufficient tram conductresses; how were they going to get enough to do track maintenance? Voices: We have got them. Cr. MeKeen said that tram conductresses were breaking down on their job, which they were finding too strenuous. Women could be used to punch tickets, but he would not support their employment to use pick and shovel. Those who had seen women engaged on such work had felt that they were so much lower in the human scale than others. Assistance should be sought from the Government in obtaining men. The mayor: Don’t you think we should have a few facts before we go on with the discussion? . . Cr. M. Fraser said the difference of opinion among councillors was obvious. Was it usual for a matter to be communicated to the Press before it came before the council? Cr. R. A. Wright said the women were volunteers and it was entirely their own business. There was no compulsion. The tracks were in a bad way and men could not be obtained to do the work. Cr. MeKeen had suggested that there had been some window-dressing—presum-ably before the election —though he did not say so. Cr. MeKeen commented that the council was often used for the purpose. The mayor said that every time men were appealed for, the council was asked if it bad first tried to replace them by women employees. Cr. Wright said that women on farms were doing far harder work than these women would be required to do.

Cr. MeKeen said tbe Government was prepared to hear representations from the council at any time.

The ‘major: It took three months to get enough men for work on the Town Hall.

Ur. Wright observed that anany men were doing nothing ibut “fooling round in military camps.” Cr. McKeen said the Government had never yet refused to hear a deputation from the city council. Cr. Jlaealister said he wanted to know exactly what duties the women would perform; and it the matter had been brought forward at the meeting of the tramways committee a few days ago. The mayor said the matter had been before the tramways committee, aud it had approved what was being done in interviewing the women. Somehow it bad got into the morning Press before there had been an opportunity to inform the council. The tramways manager was entitled to explore the position and put forward proposals Io the committee. .It involved certain pick and tamping work along the tracks. Search for Labour. Cr. blacalister said be and others appreciated that tlic tram tracks were in a disgraceful state and had deteriorated much more rapidly during the past few weeks, Remedial measures had to be taken but he did not think women should be called on to do this work till every possibility of obtaining men had been exhausted. When that stage was reached, women might be asked to do a certain amount of work. Urgent representations should be made to the Government. There were too many men and women in the camps today who should be returned to industry. It was a plain fact, known generally, that thousands of men were lounging round the remits with not enough lo do. The mayor said approach had been made without avail lo the manpower authorities for meu to be allotted. Cr. MeKeeu: Why not go to the Minister'.' Tlie mayor: Then what is the manpower oliice there for? Cr. AV. J. Gaudin said that if women could do farm work I bey could do the work on the tram tracks. He bad seen them lifting 10-gallon cans of milk. If they waited for the manpower authorities they would wait till Doomsday. Cr. Bowden advocated direct approach to tlie Government, lie said that except for drainage and garbage work, departments of the council were not regarded as essential Ur. M. Jjtickic said it. was more and more evident that men for this class of work were not available. They were going into the Army. A councillor : • Can't the Government control the Army? Cr. Ltn-kie : Ao. it can't. The mayor commented that there had been a lot of fuss and Hurry over the matter, but it came down lo the fact that, the tram tracks were in a bad state, men could not be obtained lo repair them, and women had bn-n asked to volunteer. There bad been deputation after deputation to the Government about men, and there were long delays each time after representations had been made on various subjets. It. was oiily and futile to talk of deputations to the Government. A councillor: What is wanted is the recall of men to industry. The mayor remarked that that was a national matter. “It will be a blot on the good name of Wellington if these women are put on the tram tracks,” said Cr. Dunean. “I would sooner do the work myself. Fancy us standing on the footpath watching women do it. I will fight it tooth aud nail." Fears of criticism of tin- employment of women on such tracks was expressed by < *r. Gilmer, who said the matter might be taken up by women's organizations. The committee’s report was adopted.