WOMEN IN SOLDIERS' JOBS

Evening Star, Issue 17037, 7 May 1919, Page 2

WOMEN IN SOLDIERS' JOBS

While the war was in we heard on every hand praise of the line work our women were doing—how they took the place of men, how they did the work of men, accommodating their women's strength and women's habits to the new conditions in a way that won generous admission from the men, applause from their sS'ster-womon (writes E.A.S. in the London 'Daily Mail'). But it was their just share of the war. It was done, for the most part, in safety, it was well paid, and the war workers returned in most instances to their comfortable homes when their day's task was doner. Our men were doing their share of tho war under conditions we at home do not yet realise or really understand—conditions of ceaseless danger, endless hardship, constant fear' of death and mutilation. I repeat, fear. Every one of our men has lived- in fear, however great his snirit, and not one of them denies it to himself, whatever he may do to others. To many the fear became a hideous reality. Death, mutilation, broken nerves, wrecked lives, ruined prospects. That was our soldiers' and sailors' share o l " the war. Now what is their share of the peace? To-day there is not nearly enough work for the workers, though with the worldshortage of everything, raw and manufactured, that will follow. But for tho moment? Who is to have the work—the women or the returned soldiers and sailors? I met a soldier the other day who was in an oflieo on August 4, 191.4. "On August 5 he was in the Army. His place was to be kept open for him. He has been in the Armv, twice wounded, till January, 1919. Ho has gone back to his office, where he is offered his old humble place at the old salary—£2 a week. When he left the office there was in it a girl earning a few shillings as envelope addresses. To-day she has a comfortable post in that same office at £250 a year, and the, four and a-half years' soldier is told to take his orders from her. Is there need for comment? We promised so much "when the boys come home." The boys are home. Let us keep our promises. Women—demobilise! Many have been as line and nnsel'ah in this as in their work. But let those who still cling to the places the men need more than they do remember the last four years! Remember, and give first place to those who have won it. On the way these women act now depends more than the soldiers' and sailors' livelihood : there depends their -faith in the women they offered their lives to save.