DOMESTIC HELP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22413, 8 May 1936, Page 14

DOMESTIC HELP

QUESTION OF UNIONS FIXED HOURS AND WAGES DIFFICULTIES INVOLVED VIEWS OF SOCIAL WORKERS While inquiries made yesterday showed a diversity of opinion among women prominent in social work in Auckland on the desirability or otherwise of domestic workers' unions, thero was agreement that not only did the status of domestics need improvement, but that tho standard of efficiency should bo raised. Tho problem of the woman in poor or moderate circumstances, perhaps in ill-health and with children, who might not bo ablo to pay union rates of wages for assistance, was admitted to bo a difficult ono.

Mrs. Hugh Kaspar, chairman of the service committeo of the Young Women's Christian Association, was of tho opinion that a union would have the effect of putting many girls out of work. Tho question of wages would have to be handled very carefully, for she had come in touch with many women who needed help in thoir homes, but who could not afford to pay very much. She did not think a domestis could bo put on a 40-hour week. Miss B. Carnaclian, president of tho Home Economics Association, and a member of tho board of tho Seddon Memorial Technical College, said the association and board had been considering tho raising of tho status of domestics by giving girls a short intensive course of training, with a diploma when qualified. The idea was that a girl with a diploma should be entitled to a certain salary. The Hours Question

The great, stumbling block against aepularising domestic work was the absence of regular hours in many homes. It was an extremely difficult problem, and it would almost seem that if a girl were to work eight hours a day two domestics would be required in a home. The difficulty in giving girls breaks in the day was that tho time they wore allotted was often of little use to them. The scheme proposed for domestic training had not yet been completed. It was being discussed by a number of women's organisations, who recognised that there was a need for more efficient domestic servants. The Mayoress, Mrs. Ernest Davis, was interested in the scheme.

Miss Carnachan pointed out that, while she recognised the problem caused by the poorer employer, it was probably not generally realised what a great deal was being done to help them in their domestic difficulties by various organisations. Nurses on their calls often arranged for assistance, and sometimes, when a woman was unable to boar the expense, the society concerned met tho account. , Inspection of Houses "If under an award girls are going to work only certain hours, many of them will need, to be much quicker in performing their duties," said Mrs. J. T. F. Mitchell, president of the Home Service Association. "It would not be impossible to work to specific hours if girls were efficient, helpful and diligent. Much will depend on the organisation of tho home. I am not as afraid of a union and an award as many women are. i A girl in a properlymanaged household should be able to have some hours off in the day. "If there is going to be inspections of households where girls are employed, that will not be very nice. Women will resent such intrusions, although matters may bo smoothed by notice being given of tho intention to make a visit at a convenient time." Mrs. Mitchell said it was time the status of domestics was raised. Headmasters had been approached and had welcomed the idea of training being given. They pointed out that the girl who fitted into domestic service was neither the academic nor commercial type, but the home type of girl, and these were best secured for training as they left tho primary schools.