DOMESTIC HELP

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 128, 2 June 1938, Page 7

DOMESTIC HELP

RELIEF OF SHORTAGE

GIRLS FROM OVERSEAS

SCHEME OUTLINED

The migration committee of the New Zealand Five Million Club includes in recommendations on club activities the execution of certain small practical immigration schemes, one of which is a scheme to bring girls to the Dominion to undertake domestic duties and so relieve the present severe shortage of household assistance. The committee points out that there is ample proof that the New Zealandborn female is not attracted to this type of employment, so that, it states, any immigrants brought in to do this work would be a clear addition to population without any fear of causing hardship or competition among indigenous workers. The scheme outlined by the committee is put forward merely as a framework. In the first place the importance is stressed of setting up a strong central women's committee. The task of such a committee, the report states, would be, first, to decide upon an area or district in which the migrants would be placed. It was important that they should be settled in such a way that they would not lose touch with one another and were able to cultivate a community interest among themselves. Secondly, the committee would have to satisfy themselves as to the competence of the local or district committee whose responsibility would be the direct supervision of the migrants' welfare, and thirdly, it would be the task of the central committee to arrange for the arrival of the migrants. This would entail a knowledge of the homes into which the migrants were to be placed, a thorough knowledge of each migrant, that was, character, background, and other relevant information. Fourthly, the committee would arrange the number allocated to each district or area; fifthly, the central committee would be responsible for meeting the migrants on arrival and for arranging their journey to the place of settlement. The local committee would in the first place recommend the number of girls that could be placed and would give a short, concise description of the homes into which/ the migrants would be placed, the type of work entailed, and such other "information as the central committee might find advisable. GIRLS" UNDERTAKING. The girls, 'before sailing, would undertake to remain in the homes to which they were allotted for a period of not less than'two years. But if for any reason they desired a change an appeal could be made to the local committee. The case should be considered on its merits, and as an additional safeguard for the migrant all such cases and decisions should be reported to the central committee which should have power to alter decisions where it was deemed necessary. Any girl having capital should undertake to hand it over to the organisation, the money to be held in trust until [the period of two years had passed. ' It is recommended that the girls be obtained through recognised organisations overseas, such as the Quaker School in Holland, the German Refuge Society in England, and certain women's organisations in England. By this means it would be possible Ho obtain a confidential report on each .migrant, the report states, and no girl should be allowed to sail until the central committee had given approval. In a number of cases the question of passage money would not arise, but in those instances where assistance was required the committee should arrange for this provision by an advance to be paid back over a period not exceeding two years. The money might be partially advanced by the organisation overseas from which the girl came; in that case, this organiI sation would undertake the collection of repayment funds, In some cases the employer might, be persuaded to advance up to half the fare, but in such instances repayment should be made by the migrant to the central committee and through this committee to the employer. In no case should it be permitted that a migrant pays directly to the employer either in cash or by deduction from wages. This was considered to be very important psychologically both from the point of view of the migrant and the employer.