UNEMPLOYED WOMEN

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 29, 3 August 1933, Page 10

UNEMPLOYED WOMEN

A protest is made by "Unemployed Girl against the conditions, on which relief is given'- to unemployed single women and girls. "Between two and three months ago the unemployed women and girls had to work two and a half days per week for 7s 6d, and meals supplied at the bureau. It was then decided by the Unemployment Boavd that these workers should in future work five and a half days per week for 7s Cd and meals. Just recently a further change of conditions has taken place, and women and girls living with their people are to receive 5s per week and meals, and only girls who are payiug room rents are to receive 7s Od." The correspondent further criticises the quality of the meals and the cooking by young women who are learning to cook at the bureau. [Tliis subject was dealt with by the Mayoress (Mrs. T. C. A. Hislop) when it was decided to institute the system under which the"Women's Unemployment Centre would function a« a training school where instruction in all branches, of domestic work, sewing, raffia, and toymaking would be given. Relief workers at present visit the rooms three times daily for meals, so that no extra expense in fares, etc., is entailed (the Mayoress explained). Hie kitchen has already been operating satisfactorily on the s'/4-day basis for the past nine weeks, and it was partly from observations made there that the extension of'tho scheme was proposed. It was found that unemployed women were at a disadvantage, having lost the discipline and routine of everyday work. They lacked concentration, application, ; punctuality, etc , and the scheme received further support from a number of . mothers, who visited the secretary and confessed that they were at a loss to know what to do with their daughters, who, in the absence lof work, used the bureau as an excuse to ! leave the home and family duties and to idle away time to their own detriment. Employers also report innumerable cases where no applications, have been received for situations offering. The 2% days with a return equal to 17s 6d per week is obviously unfair to those employed. Many uiris in factories are working for 12s Gel per week, from which they must provide meals and shelter. It has also been found that some parents exploit-the bureau W cmplovinc! their daughters as housekeepers, the 2H days' relief work fitting in with their requirements. Such women never neck work, and canuot be genuinely termed ''unemployed." In view of these circumstances the committee has come -to. tna, conclusion that the occupation rather than the relief o£ unemployed women is ot paramount importance, and has instuutea the new working hours in accordance witli such a decision,]

\ six-roomed house owned by Mr. G. W. Chittick aud occupied by Mr. Arthur Henry Burns, was completely destroyed by fire in Stokes Valley yesterday. The house was.insured in the Standard Oflice for £;300. Mr. Burus's personal effects were insured for £300 in the London and Lancashire Office. The origin of the. lire is not known, ■■ - -