GIRLS VICTIMISED

Grey River Argus, 17 August 1934, Page 8

GIRLS VICTIMISED

ALLEGATIONS IN PARLIAMENT. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 15. In the House, Mr Chapman moved the second reading of the Shops and Offices Amendment Bill. He said the measure was designed to prevent many young people, particularly girls, being victimised. A large number of girls paid a premium to learn the hairdressing trade, but when the six months’ training was finished, they found they were not qualified to carry on on their own. In most cases, the main idea of those undertaking to teach the girls was to obtain a premium. Imparting knowledge w’as a secondary .consideration. The whole thing was a swindle. It was time a stop was put to the practice.; People were shrewd enough not to pay wages, otherwise the Labour Department could obtain a refund of the premium. He was sure the House would pass the Bill, as it protected young persons against swindlers. It took three or four years for a girl to become competent in that trade.

Mr Bitchener said that while much of what Mr Chapman, said was probably correct, so far as the Department could ascertain, there were only eighteen girls in Wellington apprenticed, or whatever it could be called, in such saloons. The premiums ranged up to £52 10s for a nine months’ course from £3O. From the Department’s point of view, the Bill would not achieve what was desired, therefore the Government could not see its way to adopt the Bill. Parents of very young girls desired to have the girls taught, so the blame to a certain extent lay with the parents. Other Labour Members urged that the Bill should be sent to the Local Bills Committee to hear evidence. The Bill was read a second time, and referred to the Local Bills Committee.