SERVANT PROBLEMS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 75, 25 February 1938, Page 12

SERVANT PROBLEMS.

GERMANY’S ELIMINATION. GIRLS TRAINED IN CAAIPS. Twenty thousand German girls, between the ages of 17 and 25, daily lend willing hands to farmers’ wdves and country mothers. It is part of the labour service. According to Reiclisieiter Constantin Hierl, leader of the compulsory ,service —compulsory for young men but not yet ror girls—the labour service is to build character, teach loyalty to tlie national-socialist idea and to the Fuehrer and to inculcate team spirit. One hundred thousand girls have passed through this service. There are 000 camps in the Reich, each taking care of 40 girls. The service lasts 2t> weeks and each girl must prove she is Aryan and must be passed by a doctor before she can enrol. She gets free boapd and lodging, a working kit, parade uniform, two pairs of stout slioes, bed linen, hand towels, and 4d a day pocket money. The day begins at 5.25 a.m. with the camji leader on duty banging a gong and giving the girls a gentle “good morning.” Camp leaders are enjoined to avoid all appearance of militarism. Fifteen minutes of exercise is supposed to shake the sleep out of the eyes of the “Arbeitsmaid.” Breakfast follows the ceremony of hoisting the flag—the usual swastika with the addition of a stencilled double ear of grain—and the giving of the Nazi salute. She is on the yob by’ 7 a.m. Some girls work in kindergartens for farm children or take care of the fam wife’s babies. Others help in vegetable gardens, bring in ihe hay, lioe, dig, plant, chop wood, feed pigs, and chickens, drive liome the cows and help in other farm work. On no account, "the instruction emphasises, is the land girl to do “men’s work.”

At 9.30 there is a second hfeikfast. Around two in the afternoon work is over for the day. After a hearty meal one hour is devoted to a good sleep. This is obligatory. Then until 5 p.m.. the girls may do as they p.ease. In the evening State' political instruction is given and after the evening meal there are singing and games when the beloved concertina is much in evidence. The day is ended with the hauling down of the colours and the solemn Nazi si'.ute. Lights go out at 9 p.m. ‘