PLANNING FOR WOMEN

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 310, 25 September 1943, Page 9

PLANNING FOR WOMEN

Rehabilitation And Reconstruction

What was being done for women in rehabilitation was discussed by the only woman representative on the Rehabilitation Council, Mrs. Marshall Macdonald, speaking to woirien members of the Lnglish Speaking Union in Wellington yesterday. There was no need to plan separately for women because the Rehabilitation” Act was so comprehensive, said Mrs. Macdonald. Every provision was made for servicemen and equally for servicewomen. Rehabilitation for women would largely solve itself if housing was provided so that married women and those about to marry could be sure of living in a little home of which they could be proud, said Mrs. Macdonald. It was often the thought of life in a room or inadequate flat that sent women back to work after marriage. Other things dealt with were home nursing and industrial family, allowances and the domestic help question. Home nursing in the future could be largely expanded, with nursing aides to lend the trained nurse assistance. She believed in taking the nurse to the patient. If the family allowance was not adequate it should be increased to make it possible for mothers to bring up their children without undue strain to themselves, Women should have every labour-saving device in their homes and domestic help should be available when needed.. Mrs. Macdonald said she had discussed the domestic help question with Government officials and the Rehabilitation Board and had askd that hostels be provided for domestic workers and that work should be provided on an hourly basis. Domestic workers should be able to live on the same basis as dental nurses or training college students boarding in hostels, and they should have the same privileges for cultural training as girls in other walk's of life. Under these conditions, she thought, there would be no difficulty in securing domestic help. Girls of a superior type had been found in service in hotels and large boarding houses because there they were sure of regular hours and the wages were right. A social worker herself for 25 years, Mrs. Macdonald said she hoped that after the war industrial nurses and welfare officers would be found in all factories and large business houses and that compulsory legislation would make this a necessity.

Mrs. E. D. Good, chairman, presided, and Miss Daniels gave a bracket of songs. The bring and buy stall did brisk business, funds being for the war work circle.