WOMEN CONDUCTORS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23860, 10 January 1941, Page 6

WOMEN CONDUCTORS

EMPLOYMENT ON TRAMS WELLINGTON POSSIBILITY GROWING SHORTAGE OF MEN fnv TKr.KOKAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Thnrsday If the war continues for another year Wellington will probably have women conductors on its tramcars. Already the problems that this would involve are being considered by the authorities. Since the outbreak of war the tramways service has lost 150 men through enlistments in the armed forces; in addition a number of men have been attracted to other occupations, where the remuneration at present is comparatively high. Replacements have not boon nearly sufficient to make up the loss, the general manager, Air. M. Cable, said. About 30 extra men could be absorbed by the department if thev were available. The difficulty of obtaining suitable new men is increased by the fact that many are working at present on the construction of military camps, cool stores and other projects arising out of the war. The department is reluctant to engage youths, because of their liability to he called up for military service, in which case the cost of training them for their work would be wasted. An extension of working hours would ease the department's difficulty. The only alternative, if the war continues, appears to be the employment of women.