BARMAIDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3937, 29 September 1874, Page 3

BARMAIDS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir—On reading your issue of the 21st inst., T, with many others, have to thank you foi your kindness, and also the New Zealand Times, for taking up the cause of the unfortunate barmaids, of whom so much has been said of late. I, for one, cannot understand why Mr Fox and his friends would not allow females under thirty years of age to serve behind the bar of a hotel, and yet they allow publicans' daughters to do so with impunity. I should like to know his reason for so doing. Does he think they are more virtuous than others, or are they so low in his estimation that it matters not what becomes of them ? I have no doubt, Sir, that you have met young ladies that have taken situations as barmaids not from choice but force of circsimstances—not being adapted for servants in mother capacity-and yet fulfil their duties with satisfaction to their employers nnd with credit to themselves. If Mr Fox and his friends have such an aversion to be served by a young lady, I can only presume they must have been jilted at some time by some of those they wish the public to believeconstitutethe barmaids of the present day, ard so became crusty old bachelors. Perhaps it has not occurred to Mr Fox and his friends that there aremanyyoungfemalcs iuduced to leave their homes that have not been accustomed to life in New Zealand through the flattiringtermsin which thecentlemanwhoseduty 'tis in the old country to send out emigiants speak of this Colony, and yet when we arrive we are told that we must take the first situation we are offered, whether suited fOrit or not; we must learn, or we will not do for this country, with which I quite agree. But, Sir, we cannot expect our mistresses to take the trouble to teach us and pay good wages too.. Hence so many servants change places so often ; and yet, Sir, the same person would, if allowed to serve in a hotel, not only benefit herself, but s ive her from being under an obligation to her friends for her support during the time she is looking for suitable employment. I trust Mr Fox and his friends will take the trouble to investigate the characters of those they seem to think so lightly of,.and I flatter myself they will find our reputation stand equally fair with our sex living in private.—Trusting you will allow me space in your valuable columns for the above, I am, Sir, at present, unfortunately, A Barsiajd. Sept. 24th.