UNEMPLOYED WOMEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 78, 1 April 1936, Page 4

UNEMPLOYED WOMEN

WORK OF BUREAU

"FILLS A GREAT NEED"

The Women and Girl Employment Bureau.was continuing to take an active and constructive part in the employment problem, stated the Mayoress '(Mrs. T. C. A. Hislop) in an interview with a "Post" reporter'today.-Mrs. Hislop caid that this work dealt mainly with the problem of older, women. An analysis of the past week's figures said Mrs. Hislop, proved this fact. Registrations at the end of March were as follows:—16 to 20 years 16; 21-25, 8; 26-30, 7; 31-40, 16; over 40, 56. Fiftyeight of these women lived in rooms and seven had dependants. These rooms had no conveniences for cooking and it was necessary to have meals provided. During the past month 1650 meals were given, the providing of these meals being carried out by any young women who were waiting for positions. • . '' «< "Most older women," continued Mrs. Hislop, "are only able to take nonr resident positions and those involving lighter duties. To keep this group constantly moving takes much time, sympathy, and thoughtful handling. At the bureau there has only been one woman who has not been placed' in employment during the year. There are no trained domestics out' of employment. At present, the untrained domestic is engaged in seasonal work. THE WAGES OFFERED. "Many domestic positions offering do not -carry a living wage and these cannot.be filled. There is, however, a real' shortage in domestic • labour. Skilled domestic workers for positions carrying high wages cannot be found. "The bureau fills a great need in the community. It affords security to older employable women who are looking for light employment and as it is not charity it,keeps their self-respect and saves them from becoming nervous wrecks and a charge upon the community. ' Every woman' receiving relief today is doing some- useful work for the community and as far as possible each'one is employed on the work, which is best fitted for her." During the last year Mrs. Hislop said that the bureau placed 5 laundresses, 2 cooks-general, 313 domestics, 148 charwomen, 9 inexperienced women, 49 office assistants, 27 shop assistants, 92 factory employees,- 2 dressmakers, 1 trained nurse, 3 children's nurses, 6 cooks, 27 housemaids, and 13 waitresses. _ . MAYORESS'S AIM. "My aim in keeping these 'rooms open," Mrs. Hislop concluded, "is to try and teach the inexperienced girl some idea of how food should be cooked and served in happy, bright conditions. In many cases the girls have absolutely no idea whatever of the art. of cooking, but after some weeks with us I feel confident. in saying that most of them have derived benefit bodily and mentally. We have Maori girls with us and we find them very apt, intelligent girls and we are able to place many of them." . .