WOMEN AND THE WAR

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 68, 22 March 1915, Page 8

WOMEN AND THE WAR

\ TO HELP THE) INDUSTRIES. S STEADY STREAM OF APPLICANTS. \ <«MBB AND SIDNEY SUK SERVICES.) ; : LONDON, 20th March. ; The Government's invitation to women i to apply for employment in the industries * in order to cope with the war needs has * caused considerable excitement amongst « employable women. i The trades unions declare that 40,000 * women who are normally ' wage-earners \ are unemployed, and claim that they J should be absorbed before presumably $ economically independent women 'are in- | troduced into the labour market! a The morning papers announced the 1 scheme, and a steady stream of applicants' |{ soon commenced. Seven hundred women t 1 have registered in London, the majority 14 of the middle class, including many wives 2 who worked before their marriage. « The Board of Trade is not sure of the '. extent of the response of the employers, 2 upon whom the success of the scheme * will ultimately rest. The Board is un- * certain whether the bulk of the em2/plovers will seriously consider the duty j' of substituting female for male labour r in the national interests. It is suggested that the Government j might lead the way by releasing thouit sands of its clerical staff. t Employers are asked to consider the * reinstatement of the men after the war. 5 Harrods approved of the scheme, and * already 900 of their staff have enlisted. *■ Three hundred eligibles remain. Girls * - are working the lifts and packing 1, parcels, and are considering whether \\ they might also serve groceries and slice * bacon.