GIRL WORKERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 12 August 1942, Page 2

GIRL WORKERS

EMPLOYMENT AWAY FROM HOMES AGE LIMIT SUGGESTED Christchurch, Aug. 11Strong objection to the employment of girls under 18 years in towns away from their homes has been expressed by members of the Christchurch Tech nical College Board of Governors. The discussion rose out of a letter received from the Director-General of the Post and Telegraph Department. (Mr J. G. Young) in reply to criticism made by the board of an advertisement calling for girls of 14 to 16 years to work in the Post and Telegraph Department, Wellington. Mr Young explained that the advertisement had been intended to apply to Wellington only, and had been issued in other places through oversight. “The department has never accepted applications for employment, in Wellington, from girls under 16 years of age residing outside Wellington, and you have my assurance that-it does not intend to do so,” said Mr Young. “Even within the age-group, 16-18, the de partment assures itself, before a girl comes forward, that suitable lodgings in Wellington have been arranged for her.” It was stated that plans for establishing a hostel under the super vision of the Young Women’s Christian Association were almost completed. “Activities outside office hours are, of course, difficult to control, but there is close liaison with the Young Women’s Christian Association,” the letter concluded. “I still think that 16 years of age is too young to take girls to Wellington, specially as conditions are at present,” said the chairman (Mr T. W West). “The crux of the problem is mentioned in the last paragraph of Mr Young's letter. They may control the girls very well during working hours but it is their free hours that will give serious cause for worry.” Mr J. E. Jones: "I quite agree thal 16 years is far too young to take girls away from their homes. But I don’i

think it is our place to dictate to Wellington without first consulting educational institutions there.” Mr E. D. Brown: “As fathers of families and men who feel responsible for young people, we are a perfectly competent body to seek an explanation. And I think it would be perfectly in order for this board to go further and suggest to the Director General of the Post and Telegraph Department that girls up to and including 18 years of age should be recruited to the department from Wellington.” Mr West: "After a report of our action appeared in the newspaper I was stopped in the street by 30 persons who congratulated the Technical College Board on its action. So I asked them all the question: what age do you think a girl should leave home? One of them said 18, most said 20, a few said 21, and one said not at all at a time like this. You must remember that in making your protest you are not alone. You have all the parents in the city with you.” Mr Jones: “I agree with Mr Brown on principle, but I think the age should be 21.” Mr Brown’s motion that the girls up to and including 18 years should be recruited for Wellington work in Wellington was carried, Mr Jones dissenting.