GERMAN WOMEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 134, 3 December 1936, Page 19

GERMAN WOMEN

LABOUR CAMPS

Decrees' which make imminent the introduction of compulsory service in labour camps for German women on the same basis as is now in force for men were announced recently by the Reich Minister of the Interior, Dr. Frick, states the "Daily Telegraph." i

The decrees' state that the transference of the control of the Voluntary Women's Labour Service from the Reich Labour Exchange to the Reich Labour Service Headquarters has now been completed.

II is further provided that Herr Hess, Herr Hitler's deputy, is to be consulted on all appointments of officers, male and female, to the Women's Labour Service./> . : i

The name "Women's Labour Service" has been changed to "Labour Service for Female Youth," which after 'the introduction of ■ compulsory service, it is stated, will correspond to the present "Labour Service for Male Youth." , , ..:,," " ;■■

Those entering must undertake, to serve for the regulation period of six months. This period will'remain the

same when the service becomes compulsory. The women live in camps; each qf 40, with four leaders and four social comrades. :.. •

Some of the camps are in districts where new settlements are being constructed. Here it: is the duty o f the inmates to make themselves generally useful to the wives of the new settlers, and to help them overcome their initial difficulties/When this -has been achieved the camp passes on to another settlement.

Other camps are in agricultural districts, where the girls help the farmers and their wives. A third kind of camp is in the "distressed" industrial areas, where, the giris do the house-; work and care for the children of work-ing-«lass women. , .

As the small number of participants in the scheme indicates, the Women's Labour Service is not very popular. Girls who lose their jobs are often in terror of reporting to the labour exchanges for fear of being sent to the labour camps.

The expansion, of the present system, into a compulsory system will be a considerable item in the Budget. The cost of maintaining- the 200,000 mcii in the compulsory labour service it given as about £17.000 annually.