TELEPHONE GIRLS.

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7066, 27 January 1933, Page 2

TELEPHONE GIRLS.

Telephone girls in London in future will work later at night, according to tho “News-Chronicle.” Up to now tho telephone exchanges have been operated by men after eight o’clock, but, following a recommendation of the Bridgeman Committee on the Post Office, it has boon decided that girls must in future share duty with the men ufttii eleven o’clock. The reason given for the change is that women are better operators than men. At the same time, the girls were informed that “the artificial protection of women must be discontinued. ” The Postmaster-Genhral has virtually said to them: “You havo been claiming equality for a loDg time —well, now you can have it. But you must take tho rough with the smooth, and do late duty.” Thousands of the girls, however, dislike the idea of working later at night. They say it will mean the end of their social life —tod that they will no longer bo able to go to parties and dances. When will they be able to meet their sweethearts? Many of them will have to wait till midnight and after for their homeward trains, and others will have long and lonely walks home in tho dark. The men, as well as the girls, are protesting. They argue that they will lose employment. The Post Office replies that there is no question of dismissing men, but that girls will replace the men as vacancies occur. Maiiy of the night operators at present are ex-service men. Discussions aro taking place between the unions concerned and the "Post-master-General