THE CITY'S GIRLHOOD

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 18, 20 July 1918, Page 4

THE CITY'S GIRLHOOD

NEED OF MOKE HOSTELS

"A CRYING DISGRACE."

"We want the public to thoroughly realise the position—the great difficulty many young girls in Wellington have in the matter of securiug suitable accommodation," stated Miss Aitehison at a meeting of the Wellington branch of tho New Zealand Educational Institute last night. On behalf of the Management Committeß Mies Aitehison moved: "That tho question of the establishment oi a hostel for women is worthy of consideration." The mover contended that the matter was an extremely serious one, particularly for the junior teacher, who received a salary of £110 per year. When it came to accommodation, how could those teachers compete with the girls in the public service. The girls in Wellington, were crying out for more hostels—hostels which brought' them the companionship they -desired and needed...

Miss Williams seconded the motion, and also appealed for the hundreds of homeless girls—the army of girls who live in 100 ms, and poor, -but expensive, rooms at that.

Mr. J. B. Hopkirk stated that the motion was a timely one, young girls were living in rooms with all their discomfort, and it was a crying disgrace. He thought tho Government was primarily to blame. It had placed two big camps close to, Wellington, and every scrap of accommodation had been taken up. Something should be done to protect the young girlhood of the city, and it should he 'done by the Government.

"It's all for our boys and nothing for our girls," stated Miss Coad. Miss Coad said that there should be an institution for girls ?un on similar lines to the V.M.C.A .The motion was non-commit-tal. Shu thought the institute should go further, and set up a committee to go fully into the matter. They might at least lie able to establish a club-room, where meals and ordinary comforts could be provided. She thought such a room could be made to pay its own way. Miss Myers supported the proposal to set up a committee which could go thoroughly into the matter and work in cooperation with other societies. - The speaker made a special appeal for country teachers, who were cruelly treated. Mr. C. N. Haslam suggested that the institute should be selfish first and look after the young lady teachers before any others. If they set out to provide a hostel for all the girls seeking it they would have to erect a very large building indeed.

After further discussion, in which the need for better accommodation for girls was strongly emphasised, the motion was carried. The matter will be referred to the Management Committee.