CIVILIAN TASKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24214, 4 March 1942, Page 6

CIVILIAN TASKS

WOMEN FILLING GAPS EXCELLENT SERVICE GIVEN MANY NEW AVENUES FOUND The extent to which women and girls can be used to replace men called up for military service has been debated recently, and before the Armed Forces Appeal Board in Napier opposition to the engagement of female labour was expressed chiefly on the ground that women lacked manipulative skill. This contention was firmly denied yesterday by employers in Auckland, and the placement officer, Mr. J. R. Elsbury, stated that the views expressed in Hawke's Bay were contrary to all his experience. With regard to farming, Mr. Elsbury said the demand for experienced girls was growing and that day he had found employment for three with Waikato farmers. Country-reared girls who had come to the city wore responding to the national need by offering their services and they had given great satisfaction, especially as milkers. Naturally, it was not expected they would be assigned to heavy tasks, such as fencing. Inexperienced Girls Not In Demand Inexperienced girls were also being placed through the agency of the Placement Office on behalf oi the Women s War Service Auxiliary, the Government having offered to subsidise their wages for the first six months. The response to this call, said Mr. Elsbury, had not been as great as was hoped, but neither had the demand been up to expectations. Herd testing is a branch of agriculture in which war-time conditions have found an avenue for women, and the Pail way Department has found them very satisfactory as gardeners. Three machine shops in tho Auckland area engaged in war production are employing women and girls on precision work, and their efficiency, it was stated, is a complete answer to the claim that the sex does not possess the necessary manipulative skill. One example of munition-making that was examined illustrated a degree of finish that would do credit to any fitter and turner. Indeed, the experience of owners of processing plants of all kinds is that the average girl is highly adaptable, and. further, that she will attempt, any task that is within her physical powers. Fighting Services Auxiliaries Details of the work of the women's auxiliaries of the three fighting services are not made public, but it may be said that the scope of their duties is being steadilv widened; proof that the Navy, Army ~and Air Force appreciate their assistance. Banks and commercial houses are employing women clerks to an ever-increasing extent. On the scientific side of war preparations there is an opportunity for women that so far has not been availed of. Some time ago the Department ot Scientific and Industrial Research advertised four vacancies for graduates in science, but there were no applicants. The reason for this, it was stated, was that for women with a science degree the teaching profession was much more attractive. An endeavour will shortly be made to enlist the services of girls of matriculation standard as technicians in this department. The Auckland Hospital Board has added a number of young women to its laboratory staff since the war. There are now five post worn en and 21 telegraph delivery grils in Auckland and two women are engaged in bread delivery at men's wages.