BUSINESS GIRLS’ CLUB

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 227, 23 August 1935, Page 7

BUSINESS GIRLS’ CLUB

PROFESSOR SHELLEY’S ADDRESS. " Professor J. Sliellev. of Canterbury College, was the speaker, yesterday, at the weekly luncheon held bv the Business Girls’ Club in Messrs Collinson and Cunninghame’s tearooms. Mrs W. Riddet presided and welcomed Misses D. Turner, R. Billons and M. Ingley as visitors. Apologies for absence were tendered on behalf of Mrs M. H. Oram, Misses Bates (2), Cooksley, M. Day and F. Doherty. Speaking on psychology, Professor Shelley said that though as yet its importance was hardly realised in New Zealand, it was becoming an important factor in business to-day. There were firms in Christchurch which now required their employees to pass psychological tests by Canterbury College, he said. In a busy industrial centre such as Palmerston North life was too strenuous for the average mind. Generally speaking the industrial side of life was thought all important and no consideration was given to the human element so long as the humans were turned into efficient bits of machinery. The speaker went on to show how that human element worked to prove his points. He gave many instances in large industrial businesses where the psychologist’s help had been sought. In each case it was shown by a little attention to the human factor in introducing periods of rest from strenuous toil, production had increased. What was needed was not more employment but moro impressive life with less enforced work. Most people tried to express themselves when tired out with a long day’s work. The speaker pointed to the element of danger from fatigue, particularly in factories, and to the fact that most accidents occurred at the last hour of the morning or afternoon. The application of a little psychology was what was needed. The'vote of thanks to the speaker was conveyed by Mrs Riddet and carried by acclamation.