TELEGRAPH GIRLS

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 41, 16 February 1918, Page 8

TELEGRAPH GIRLS

In continuation of the announcement made a few days ago that, owing to not sufficient boys offering, the Post and Telegraph Department was employing girls for the purpose of delivering telegrams in Wellington, Sir Joseph Ward, Postmaster-General, states that the girls are carrying out their work most satisfactorily. They will be equipped with a suitable uniform, somewhat on the lines of that worn by the girls and women engaged in similar duties in England. The uniform will take the form of a dark grey coat and skirt with red facings, and a hat to match. Each girl will be provided also with a waterproof coat, for protection against the rain, and with a suitable handbag for the safe custody and convenient carrying of the telegrams. The outfit will present a very neat appearance. ' At present nearly twenty girls are engaged in the city telegram delivery, and it is possible that several more will be required.

Sir Joseph Ward wishes to assure parents that the Department is paying particular attention to the girls' intereats, and welfare. ' It may_ be mentioned that they are provided wjth a room in which they are able to take meals and rest themselves as occasion requires. Their hours of duty run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a luncheon interval in the middle of the day of a full hour. For convenience in working, it has been found necessary to keep the staff of girls entirely separate from that of boys, and place them under the immediate control of an officer of their own sex.

The employment of girls is for the present confined to Wellington. It may, however, be necessary, on account of the shortage of boys, to employ girls also at other places throughout the Dominion.