CORRESPONDENCE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 76, 26 September 1908, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

WORK OF DOMESTIC SERVANTS TO TUB EDITOR. Sir, — Permit me, as a domestic worker, to givo my opinion re scarcity of domestic labour. Much is said of it, but little is done on the employers' part to make this class of work attractive. 'We all, I think, commence our work at six — some before that time — and always are on duty twelve ho\irs, often more. Immediately our meals are over we begin work;- no after-dinner rest for the maid who spends all the bright sunny day in a comfortless kitchen, and her night in a bedroom as poorly furnished as it is possible to be. It is drudgery the whole day, and our so-called free evenings begin betweeii seven and half-past. At the most we have two and a half hours free, and many of us are too tired to enjoy them. The majority of us have one Sunday afternoon and evening off each fortnight, and all, I think, have half a day each week. On these holidays we are not finished and able to go out before three. Whilst we are in our employer's hatise we are likely to be called upon any moment to wait upon her. Let the ladies of Wellington take our places for a week, and then they would probably have sense to think for us a little more than they do. They complain of weak backs and work tiring, them. If they would only think a little less of their often fancied ailments, or take a few less meals, we should have a belter time ; and, with a little more consideration shown to us, we should work more willingly, and helpers would also be more plentiful. It is, in my opinion, quite possible for us to only work a set number of hours. Why should not the mistress h^lp with her own housework? The mistress rises when breakfast is prepared, and a room ready for her to sit and be comfortable in. Where one maid is kept here, throe would be kept in England ; yet the work is expected to be done just the same. Wages are said to be high, but, in my opinion, they are not high enough for the amount of work and hours of work. The remedy is in their awn hands, but they are too selfish to take it, and blame the girls for not wishing to be household drudges. I am not -surprised that girls shun service. I thank Mrs. Tasker for her efforts on our behalf; we want to be treated as women, not as machines, to be worked all hours that God sends. — I am, etc., SLAVEY. Wellington, 23rd September, 1908.