SEXES IN COMPETITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 1514, 9 November 1912, Page 8

SEXES IN COMPETITION.

WALE AND FEMALE TYPISTS. SAME WAGE FOR EACH. [FROM DDI OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Std.vev, November 2. TirK majority of women. typists and stenographers do not doubt that the new award of tho Victorian Wages Board, fixing the minimum wage of typist® at 45s a week, and of stenographers at 48s, irrespective of sex, is going to bring about the dismissal of many girls. The decision, says the Sun, looked at first sight as if the men who represented both sexes cm the Wages Board had fixed this wage, to be paid irrespective of the sex of the worker, to rid the bread-winning men of the competition of the. women. But any such idea of treachery by tho men towards the women clerks of tho city goes by the board in view of the fact that the women typists not the mere girls—are solidly supporting the new determination as just and reasonable. They admit that numbers of typists who now get next to nothing will lose their ■positions. But they are prepared to face ' this risk to all for two reasons. First, because the new award recognises women as 3,he equal of men, and gives them as high ;jtay tin men, even in men's sanctuary—the U-ity office; secondly, because the higher TaU-j», -while too high for some, will benc'jit the majority, and will enable the men * to make homes and choose wives. The Fac.'"tories Department has found that the '•■average rate paid to women typists in Victoria, is 19 lid a week. "Many girls," states .Miss Muicahy, the organiser, "are getting only 7s Cd a week, others 12s 6d, stud they «aw no way of getting more without .1 oiiioiuhtie movement. .Many business ftj/lleges are to blame for these rates. They iwUnribf) instances of positions at 355, 455, even 50» filled by their students, and VnaturuJly the jfirls who wish to make their ' 'frirwn living think they would like to go to A colleges where these high wages result. <> In many raises, however, the result is to Yincreaae tho profits of the college:;, and make ><tho girls under-paid and over-worked Voders. Doubtless the colleges obtain these ' wages in some cases, but the greater number of students they turn out get only 20s ;i week and under. Women have in the past been employed because they have been ■cheaper, although as competent. Now they 'will be sa '!' ir a'; tho men, and for wo-Tn<-u ar.'J fumt tl*TB will be a living wage. It- •,*< J %jy, ■* tA-XU-x facial standing to ; v:<cr.-.ri »-.-.'fatx, miming a great deal of rtho rtriUif'.f W,v/fc/sn the men and the women, nt.fi ''/r/.jv.V;.'; t women will retain l/heir positions"