WOMEN EMIGRANTS FOR SOUTH AFRICA.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8091, 8 January 1903, Page 4

WOMEN EMIGRANTS FOR SOUTH AFRICA.

In answer fco> Lord Milner's appeal for women emigrants for SoutE-.Africa, the London and Scottish brancnes of the South African Expansion Committee have in the' past four months done splendid work. In that time over 500 British girls have been assisted by their efforts to .reach the South African Colonies, and of this large number only five, or 1 per cent., have.been repotted on as "unsatisfactory" for physical or other reasons. Such a record is only achieved by unwearying vigilance on the part of the ladies who select the emigrants. ' Miss BrootnEunt, the organising secretary, gave the writer of .an article in a Home paper the details of the methods by which the fortunate minority of the appla cants are selected. The examination into character and qualifications is unusually se•vere. All candidates must be passed as physically fit, not only by a local but by a Government doctor; the standard of bodily health bemg that which would entitle the applicant to a- first-class life insurance policy. When the form has been filled up and the references as to character and capabilities have been examined and found to be perfectly satisfactory, the would-be emigrant is notified that she is accepted, and is told the ship by which she is. to sail, and her anxieties are at an end. In the various tests 60 per cent of. the applicants are rejected—many fail to pass the doctor, while others are unable to prove themselves efficient servants or governesses as the case may. be. Not a few domestics when rejected voluntarily attend one of the servants' training schools in London and the provinces, and in a few months can present themselves once more for emigration. No inefficient person has a chance with the lynx-eyed committee, and Lord Milner has expressed his-complete satisfaction* with the emigrants hitherto sent out, and has asked that 100-girls may be assisted to reach Africa- every month. The receiving committee in South Africa is a Government department, while the London and Scottish branches work in conjunction with the Colonial Office.

Just before sailing the country girls assemble at the Wortley Hostel, 22, Upper Westbourne Terrace, which is in charge of Mrs" Church, the matron. Every comfort is afforded them in the last hours in the Old Country, and, as a rule, the girls leave Waterloo for the Cape in good spirits. The fare to emigrants is only £l2, the balance' being defrayed by the Transvaal Government. This £-12, too, is advanced when necessary, and is repaid in instalments. What are the attractions ?. High wages are certainly one. The minimum wage to general servants is £3 a month", while highly experienced domestics can, command £4, and good cooks even more. Nursery governesses are in demand also, but typewriters, lady clerks, etc., are strongly advised not to embark at present, as there is no suitable accommodation as yet. From Waterloo up to Johannesburg the girls are under the care of an escort matron, and it is satisfactory to learn that as much care is exercised in selecting places for cirls as in the choosing of the girls themselves.