WARTIME EMPLOYMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23620, 2 April 1940, Page 8

WARTIME EMPLOYMENT

CASE OF SOLPTEK'S WIFE A REVERSAL OF POLICY AUCKLAND POWER BOARD A reversal of its policy of not employing married women was made by the Auckland Electric-Power Board at a meeting yesterday, when a former employee who had married a member of the first echelon asked that her resignation should be reconsidered. The woman stated in a letter that she lodged in a bank money remitted by her husband, and she pointed out that other local bodies and Government departments were employing married women in such cases. "While approving our resolution that married women should not bo employed," said the chairman, Mr. S. J. Harbutt, "wo think that there should bo a reversal of this policy in special cases such as this." It was unanimously agreed that during the war period such cases should be treated on their merits. Difficulties arising from wartime employment were then discussed by the board. When a man left for overseas the board was bound to give him his position when he returned, but, it was pointed out by Mr. Harbutt, an awkward position arose when the man employed as a substitute also joined the military forces. Where possible such replacements should be made with girls, he said, and this would relieve men for military duties. ■Opposition to the employment of girls in such cases and also to the engagement of men of military ago and qualifications to fill the places of men who go away was expressed by Mr. C. J. Lovegrove. The board's duty was to employ married men with family obligations in such cases. When it was suggested to him by Mr. Harbutt that it would be difficult for a married man to relinquish his position at the end of the war, Mr. Lovegrove said it would be no more difficult than being without a job at the present time. . On the motion of Mr. J. Sayegh it was decided to discuss the matter fully when the board next met in committee.