LAND GIRLS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 24, 29 January 1942, Page 5

LAND GIRLS

RESPONSE NOT GOOD

MINISTER'S APPEAL

Disappointment at the small number of enrolments received from applicants for service with the Women's Land Corps, as well as at the poor response of farmers, was expressed today by the Minister of National Service (Mr. , Semple).

"There are district committees of the Women's War Service Auxiliary in all centres of any considerable size, ready to give information to interested women and enrol them for work with the Land Corps," said Mr. Semple. "The Press has given full publicity to the scheme, but it is clear that women are not responding with the spirit which must be shown if the Dominion is to play its full part in the Allied war effort.

"Farmers, too, are not taking the Women's Land Corps scheme with the seriousness it merits, and they have an obligation to co-operate in making the best possible use of emergency labour sources in the nation's interests, as well as their own.

"The necessity to use the services of women in primary as well as secondary industry will become more marked as further men are drawn from industry." stated the Minister. "I appeal to women who are physically fit and free to do so to respond to the Government's call by enrolling with the Women's Land Corps. I also put it to the farmers that as the male farm labour situation is likely to deteriorate further they should play their part in making the Women's Land Corps a success." [ OVER 18 YEARS ONLY. "Before a girl or woman is appointed to the Corps, she enrols as a member of the Women's War Service Auxiliary, which satisfies itself as to her suitability for work with the Corps. Corps members must be at least 18 years of age, be of good character and health. As soon as they are accepted the women are provided with a free set of overalls, and after one month's satisfactory service they receive the | Corps uniform. I THE RATES OF PAY. "Inexperienced members, after they have completed their training period of six months, receive a competency badge. During the first six months Corps members are paid 35s weekly if employed on dairy farms, and 30s if employed on other farms, and after six months these rates are raised to £2 2s 6d and 35s respectively. It is provided that no Corps member is to be employed on a farm where there is not at least one male physically fit and available to carry out the farm duties obviously unsuitable for a woman worker.

"Although these subsidies are designed primarily to encourage women inexperienced in farm work to come forward," Mr. Semple concluded, "there is real need for women who have had training and experience on the land. The Government appeals to them also to render service during the war period. These, of course, will be entitled to a commencing wage of not less than £2 2s 6d on dairy farms, and £ 1 15s weekly on other farms, in addition to board and lodging."