GIRLS FOR WORK

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 148, 26 June 1925, Page 4

GIRLS FOR WORK

SUPPLY GREATER THAN DEMAND

HIGH COST OP LIVING A FACTOR.

(BI TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAt. .TO THB POST.)

DUNEDIN, This Day.' "Necessity is driving girls to go to work," said the manager of a large drapery establishment when questioned by a reporter regarding the shortage of positions for girls. The statement by the manager, of a similar firm in Christchurch, that girls are dazzled by the showcases andr shelves and feel they would like to be working among all the pretty things is not correct, he maintained. • ".' ' "In my opinion," he said, " the present high, cost of living is forcing parents, particularly those who,have several daughters, to seek suitable employment for them. It is an -absolute necessity that they go to work, and " drapers', shops are an attraction/and discount to employees enables them to dress well and>more cheaply. I do not think there are many girls who go to work in order to be independent of their parents for dress. It is the practice of this firm to give preference to girls who have to earn their living, and not to those whosp parents are able to support them and who usually go to work purely for the fun, of it." ' ," : .: ■■:.'■■■ as to applications for work the manager repEed that there was a constant demand for employment, and that his hardest job was to refuse* the services offered.. This was unfortunate for the.girls'; mothers, who in a number! of case_s were faced with the problem of -placing two or even three daughters in business. ■■•=: ; -, : : ... ° :..-.; j Turning to a file, the speaker produced a sheaf of applications which had accumulated during the past" fe-w* months. "Here are about 60 more," he added pointing to his desk.: " The position has become acute. We have had to close ' our lists, /and another : large' Dunedin firm has ha<J to-do: the: same." "Of course," he added, "several of these girls have: secured employment.by this time, but the demand for work-still continues;; The same applies to milliners i and dressmakers—the supply is greater than the demand. However, the genuine" dressmaking business is going out, owing to the great demand for ready-made goods and the simple styles in vogue today. Any girl of taste can make prW tically everything she requires.',' ;