TOO MANY APPLICANTS

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 23 November 1932, Page 9

TOO MANY APPLICANTS

THREE HUNDRED WOMEN.

iCITY FIRM’S PROBLEM,

Anticipating that a considerable number of women would apply for an advertised position, a leading firm of Auckland merchants took the precaution of hiring a meeting room in the •Chamber of Commerce, Swanson .Street (says the “New Herald*’). The number exceeded all expectations, and the member of the firm selecting an applicant for the position was compelled to engage the large assembly room in the Chamber of Commerce to accommodate 300 eager women.

The firm advertised for applicants between 35 and 45 years of age for a position involving control of a room in which SO girls work. The weekly wage stipulated was £2. In accordance with the advertised arrangements, the applicants presented them selvas at the Chamber of Commerce at 6 p.m. on Friday. Many women arrived before the appointed hour, and, at one stage, Swanson Street, between Queen and Albert Streets, was congested. The instant desire of the member of the firm was to have the applicants in a good 'humour. When the women were seated the member took the platform and explained the requirements of the position, eiiiphasising that tact wais an essential qualification. , jHe then suggested that applicants who did not consider they were qualified for the position should retire. The proposal was met by a good deal of: merriment. Not one applicant retired, the assembly obviously having collective .confidence in its capabilities. The chairman next pointed out that ho could not possibly grant a personal interview with each applicant. Numbers of tickets, some * 'blanks” and. others bearing the word “yes” were then produced. Applicants who at sight appeared to bo unsuitable were handed the blank cards. 'The “yes” cards were presented to women who were required to remain. The procedure wa*s accepted in the best of humour, 42 women surviving the process of elimination. Tho final stage in an extraordinary business problem will be reached later. Eleven of tho applicants have been notified to communicate with the firm for the definite choice of ait employee. According to the .firm, the standard of ability of tho applicants in the main was excellent.