INCREASED SHORTAGE OF FEMALE WORKERS FORECAST

Grey River Argus, 20 April 1948, Page 7

INCREASED SHORTAGE OF FEMALE WORKERS FORECAST

'“Recent enquiries have shown that there are at least fifty girls doing clerical work here in Greymouth in offices which did not exist six years ago or less, or in which employment of females is a new departure (i.e. the Land arid Income Tax Department, I and' the N.Z. Railways),” stated the Principal, Mr W. M. Stewart, in a_ report to the Greymouth Technical High School Board last evening. Banks have retained nearly all their office girls, whereas it was only a few years ago that girl clerks were almost unknown in banks,. said Mr Stewart, " ' . Owing to the five-day and forty-hour week, and to other causes also, the demand for clerical assistants ih Business, commercial and professional offices was greater now than at any previous time. Government depari- ■ merits which used to insist on examination qualifications were Viow taking what was offering. FUTURE PROSPECTS “In 1946 and 1947 (and this may well continue for one or two more years) the intake of new pupils has been very much smaller for tne/year or two preceding,” he added. “Of this smaller intake of pupils, a much smaller percentage enrolled for the commercial course: e.g. 21 and 25 girls in 1946 and 1947, as against 4b and 58 for 1944 and 1945._The reason for this was of course, not far to seek: there were so many other attractive and well-paid avenues of pleasant employment offering which did not demand the relatively, strenuous and exacting training oi a commercial course. “Of this much reduced commercial enrolment, again, an ever smaller proportion remaned on for the third and fourth year—and it must be cieaily realised that" in no course is it more true that, to secure any really valuable training, a minimum of three years is riecessary. For some years, our top line of commercial pupils (third or fourth years) has been steadily diminishing; this year it is 16. The reason for this is also plain; once the fifteenth year has been reached, there is such a wealth of well-paid positions in factory, laundry, etc., offering that it is difficult for parents to resist the eagerness of the young mind to 'get a job and earn for itself.’ even though this may not be in the best long-term interest of the child. Af present there are at least sixty young girls employed locally in such work, oi whom a very definite and sometimes quite a large proportion used to elect a commercial education,” the report continued. “The problem we are examining is not confined to commercial position; it is not local, it is not New Zealand wide, It is universal. Some recent enquiries have produced revealing results. In most countries, in Australia, in South Africa, in the United States and in Great Britain, first-class secretary ; stenographers are among the very highest paid of all employees, while £lO per week is a common average, with a still higher level for the United States. In spite of this we find leading business men, managers and even Cabinet Ministers doing their own typing. The newspapers of New Zealand have columns of attractive clerical advertisements —with little or no response. Here in Greymouth recently advertisers have repeatedly received not one application. . “I would emphasise that what has been written is not given in any mood of complaint. Certain facts and conditions are here with us, for which there would seem to be no immediate solution, though the indications are for some degree of lightening in a number of directions within a few years. These difficulties do present a problem for thoughtful citizens and school authorities, and it is with a view first to understanding and then to helpful solution, that the above facts have been set forth,” he added. DEMAND AND SUPPLY “Since the position with regard to the supply of girls for clerical and other positions, both locally and elsewhere, is at present probably more i acute than it has ever been before, and since it is natural to expect this school and its training to play an important nart in the matter, an examination of the position from all angles can only be helpful. “Broadly speaking, like most other such problems, this problem comes down in its essence to demand and supply, and it may be stated at once that never has the demand for female labour —more especially clerical labour —been more acute, and never has the supply been so short. The position is the exact reverse of that which held during the depression, when there were a dozen or more well trained and well equipped girts waiting for every position, desirable or other, that offered itself, and I feel that, however acute and embarrassing the present state may be, few people would gladly see that former state return.” said Mr Stewart.