THE VALUE OF WOMAN'S LABOUR

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1536, 7 August 1901, Page 20

THE VALUE OF WOMAN'S LABOUR

How often each of us has heard the expression, “How shameful for that young lady to accept a position! She has an iiw

come of her own; she should leawe the work for poor girls who are obliged to support themselves." We have no sympathy with this sentiment. The rieh girl needs work for her development as much as the pc or girl needs it for bread. Her mistake lies in accepting work which requires no skill at less than its real value. In her independent position she should demand the full value of her time. She should not say, ‘1 can afford to work for less, because I have an income on which I can depend for my support”; but rather, “I can afford to lose the work if y6u will not pay me what it is worth.” If all women would take this position it would do more .to raise the value of woman's work than volumes on social economy. - -

I I remember, - a few years ago, hearing i a lady, who was the wife of a prominent • and wealthy man, very much criticised because she would not sing in a certain J church, which was desirous of securing ; her services, for less than <£loo a year. I “She ought not to accept the position!'"’ said one; “she ought to leave it for some young girl who needs to earn her living.” i Now, if this lady Lad accepted this posi* j lion without any salary, would anyon® ! have said she ivas taking the place of a self-supporting girl? Many are thrown out of positions by women of wealth giving their services for nothing. The lady referred to threw one singer out of a position, but s he benefitted hundreds of others j by upholding a high standard for the payment of artistic singing. I ••• ■