The Problem of Domestic Help “Always With Us”

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 105, 5 May 1937, Page 15

The Problem of Domestic Help “Always With Us”

The question of the shortage oJ concern in New Zealand and an eari a solution. Women’s organisations a tion as was evidenced in a report ap tho deliberations of Auckland womei been prompted to offer a few sugges (By Martha). Yes, this domestic problem is always | with us and always has been, but owing to the many occupations now open to women and-girls it has become a serious matter . Employers of domestic labour themselves now have more outside interests and activities and so do not give tho same time and thought to house-keeping nor to the training of the girls in their employment. In periodicals of the early eighteenth century articles and letters may be read complaining of the incompetence aud carelessness of the maid servants; and still the plaint goes on. Housework is particularly repugnant to tho adolescent girl and by tbfc time she has put iu a few years at the High Scihool, she is- personally affronted when requested to wash up the dishes, even in her own home, and very few think of taking up housew’ork as a profession, until after they have tried other things—it is then rather late to begin training. Iu the meantimo life is very uncomfortable for many, and really harassing for elderly people and for young married people with families to bring up. Education is largely at fault for the best years for learning are spent at school and spare time in games and homework, hnd after ten years or so of this sort of thing the girl does hot know how to keep simple accounts, sew on a button, or cook a potato. What’s to be done about itT Some Suggestions Firstly, improve the conditions so that household jobs will be more attractive. In former times the domestic worker endured tedious work, patiently and amiably, for long hours, and they suffered injustice owing to the selfishness of the employer. There were many who gave consideration to their maids but owing to the many who didn't tho just are now suffering with the unjust. '< Domestic work must be considered in comparison with other jobs. ’• From the girls’ point of view there are many objections to domestic work, some well founded. The social status is one. Why should she be called Mary when ker name is Miss Brown? Thereis no reason whatever. This custom is a survival of tho 1 days when a girl entered service at a 1 very early age and grew up in the same family often succeeding a relative promoted, to a higher position. Or she might have been under the direct supervision of her mistress, who would .in i many cases be her employer, instructor 1 and friend. They also will say that the hours are long and uncertain. So they are for | these days. Research work has been ] carried out regarding the hours of work in the home, whether performed by ; members of the family or by hired help, t and it has been found.that in spite of i all the labour saving dovices which i have been invented and perfected dur- t ing the last 30 years or so, there ha* ( been very little reduction iu the hours or work, as when facilities for doinj j the work are introduced more comforts 1 i and luxuries are expected, or tho staff ; is reduced iu number. It is about tho ( only walk in life in which hours have j not been appreciably reduced. This t could be remedied by more thoughtful t arrangement of work, so that the maid j has definite time off each day. If the family were all punctual at meals and a all tidied away, their pwn .possessions a a cortain amount of time could be saved. There is no comfort when off duty. In some Jiouses the maids are well provded for but in many they are not. The modem kitchen is a glorified scullery. There is nowhere to have meals, nowhere to sit in comfort as there is j no heating, the old range has given 1 place to the modern gas or electricstove, tho bed-room allotted is often of sunless aspect and devoid of ordinary comforts. Would it not be possible, in designing a modern home, to provide some proper accommodation for the domestic worker, where it is intended to one? She is of such importance to the comfort and well being of the household that she should be worth considering. In “the King’s House’’ about which ono read so much about in

if domestic workers is causing grave :nest endeavour is being made to find ire giving serious thought to tho quesppearing in these columns recently of in. Arising on which “Martha” has stions.

the Jubilee year, the maids’ bedrooms, were simply furnished, but were attractively decorated and fully and comfortably equipped. Domestic work is depressing and discouraging, it is never finished and it is not appreciated at its true worth. It is all taken for granted and uniformerly good work is expected. Sea captains and cooks are about the only people not allowed to make mistakes. In other callings a mistake is a mistake und tihat’s the end of it. But if the cook were to put salt instead of sugar in the pudding . . . ? Domestic work is skilled work and should be considered as such, a little commendation instead of so much condemnation might help to make tho work inoro interesting. Employer Must Set Standard If the conditions of this work are improved the employers will then be iu a position to make stipulations; to begin with they should be loyal to oua another and should insist upon references and not engage girls without any consideration for tiho former employer, "they must set a standard. There arc at tho present time many intelligent, trustworthy and thoroughly competeut girls and women engaged in this work at good wages, but there are some m jobs and many seeking them, who are unreliable, destructive, incompetent and unwilling to learn. This latter type cannot expect any consideration in schemes for reform. Training Necescary An important matter requiring immediate attention is the training of the girl. How shall that be done? Begin at the beginning, start when she is young. Every girl, no matter what her prospects, should have a sound knowledge of household matters. The training should begin at 12 years of age. In all girls’ schools at least two hours a week should bo devoted to domestic subjects from that age onwards as long as she is at scihool. The schools take up their time compulsorily, so the schools shoull start them off in the right way. On leaving school any girl wishing to take up domestic work as a profession should continue her training under her employer in conjunction with classes at a Technical school or a college of housecraft. If all girls had a certain amount of domestic training, the gulf which at present exists between the domestic worker and those in other jobs migiht to some extent be bridge. A Challenge to Women There are suggestions from time to time that the Government should remedy all this trouble. This is a woman’s job, and there is not one woman in Parliament at the present time, so it would mean leaving it to the men. If domestic work is to be regulated by Acts of Parliament, Arbitration Courts, etc., inspectors will have to be appointed to see that all the regulations are observed and there would not be much privacy in tho (home. Where would tho Englishman’s castle be? The women are tho employers of domestic labour and it is for them to put tiheir house in order, give the same thought to their household management that they would give to a “slam bid” in contract or that “losing putt In golf” and see tihat conditions are moro attractive and wages and hours reasonable. Let them all pull themselves to-

gether, study their job so that they are competent to manage their homes and train the young girls who are willing to take up this work as a profession, and not as a last resort.