NEW ZEALAND WOMEN AS WAGE EARNERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11197, 20 August 1898, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND WOMEN AS WAGE EARNERS.

THEIR VARIED OCCUPATIONS.. ,

Life is ißade manifest by external change. Does tlie plant fail to put forth new shoots and leaves, death is rightly regarded as imminent. In the animal the forming of new . and the casting off. of old tissue exhibits vital force. An organisation is healthy in ,as far as it deals with fresh subjects or i maps, out varying lines of action. In like | manner do the. altering' conditions of life lof a people display the vigour of the State. i There is, therefore, no real cause for alarm in the fact that woman's world has been well nigh revolutionised during the past 20 or more years. Such change is not necessarily for ill. Biit obvious as is the fact that an increasingly large number of women spend their days in other than their own domestic, duties and pleasures, the cause for such entry into the ranks of the wage earners is not so | readily determined. • One factor, probably, [among many.-,, is to be found in. the-vast in-., crease-, of. machinery,- • and: the.. consequent; specialisation of work .in huge ..factories, f Thereby the., necessaries .of life ■ are -made ready for use outside the home; thus-lessen-, ing the.demand for workers- in the household."' One. no longer sees. in well-to-do homes the housekeeper with her bevy of! young lady 'asistarits,' carrying on the processes ■of - spinning-and weaving, baking and. brewing, -preserving and distilling, .fine laundry and needlework. Our. bakers . call daily. * Our jam? and jellies, are ordered from the factory Our beverages are sent in at so much a-.dozen.,-- Our..phials pfpert fumes and essences bear a trade mark. Oiir household linen and dress goods are woven in the "great- mill instead of by the home hearth.. Our laces and embroideries no longer owe their' origin to the fair fingers of.the ladies of the household ; steam .arid i iron have in large measure done the wqrk. Even our very garments and house furnishings are fashioned wholesale, and may be obtained from the work-room ready for use. Then, •'possibly, another reason for the many workers . outside the home is the increased -riced felt by woman for the wherewithal to take her part m the world. As a race we are piwing the truth of the old -words. "Man shall not live by-bread ; alone." Sufficient food and suitable cloth- : ing no longer form-the goal of. man's or woman's -ambition. The process-of evolution docs not multiply our heeds. The more cultured brain, the more seeing eyes, and the more sensitive enr seek sustenance. The development of the altruistic sentiments has j begotten a desire to lift one's fellows to aj higher -plane of existence. • Little can be gained or performed in these directions without the aid of money. And in this age of her awakening, woman feels the need of increased spending power that she may, take her part ii> the fuller life of the world. Hence, probably, the entry of many into the arena of the labour market. Other reasons might doubtless be adduced, but these two. alone give ample evidence that woman may be expected to demand and find a place for -herself as a wage nnrccr.. . . . Let us now see the directions in which New Zealand women have thus, far . sought and found fields for operation. -My statistics are largely based on the census taken ir--1896. From .this I find that 50,070 women and girls are- classed as wage earners ; that is, more than one in every four of the entire female population of the age of 15 years and upwards.- ■ DOMESTIC CLASS. The total population of New Zealand is not much above 700,000, but to supply direct personal service to these the not small army of 22,930 women and girls is needed. Of these 1374 provide accommodation in hotels, inns, boarding houses, and restaurants, and three undertake the management or secretaryship of clubs. Domestic servants, naturally form a large class, 16,718 —or nearly one-third of the whole of our wage earners. , Hotels, clubs, etc., claim another 2202 maids, while following the undesirable occupation of barmaid are 210. Ministering to domestic needs is yet another class of helpers—a class which, on the whole, one need not .be sorry to see is on.the increase, since it means the opening up of a sphere of labour to wageearning girls and women who while having refined tastes and habits have also a gift for home duties. We refer to those designated as lady help or companion.. The position is one, certainly, that demands special tact, and consideration on the part of both employer and employee ; but given these, the lady help may prove a boon in many a home. From choice or necessity, and'with ability or th". reverse, 385 fill this comprehensive role. Housekeepers are more numerous, 1891. Another body of workers is composed of those who win hard-earned bread by washing and chaining, 1077. Professional cooks number 33, while 19 perform the duties of oraetaker. Hairdressing provides a living lor four; two of these, it may be noted, in ' business on their own account, though not employing labour. Public bath attendants are five in number, and three offer themselves as tourists' guides'. IXDTTSTP.TAL CLASS. Turning next to what is termed the Industrial Class, it is scon that 13,243 are engaged in the work of "modifying'" the natural products and rendering them Gt for use. Of these more than one-half—viz.. 7433—are occupied in millinery and dressmaking, work. which is at the present time far from being on a satisfactory footing. Sooie few, of course, earn good wages, as" we. hear of heads of departments receiving from £6 to £9 per week ; but the majority, it is to be feared, must either be deptndent to a large extent on their friends, or lead but a starved existence. For v. ! can possibly find shelter, food, and respectable clothing, to say nothing of incidentals, lor a- sum varying from 5s to 12s a. weekV The remedy is not easy to find, but it is well to keep the facts before us.

The majority of the 2453 who find employment as clothing manufacturers and sewing machinists are in a better position. -Skirt-making and general needlework pro- ;- vide work for 576, while those occupied "in ■ the growing colonial industry of boou mm. shoemaking number 600. The knitters of focks and stockings are 200, and ti limited number fill their days with attention to such other details pertaining to the clothing of ! their sex as the making, repairing, and cleaning of bonnets and caps, feathers, furs, umbrellas, gloves, etc. It is evident, then, that ovei 11,300 . women workers are mainly occupied in fashioning our various articles of dress. But . besides, this, a-rray of toilers, there are yet others,...who.have io do with earlier stages. of the goods used in clothing. ■ The manufacture of waterproof provides a living for 67. Woollen mills employ a large number ; those engaged' therein, and in one or two minor woollen industries, reach a total of 617. A comparatively large number, 463, are imperfectly defined as factory - workers, labourers, and manufacturers. .Apart, from the foregoing, we have 772 ;•.belonging to the industrial class, and these' find employment in >no less than 64 varying branches of work. Books and publications are responsible for the livelihood of 290, three of these being employers,., of labour. Compositors in printing offices number 71, and those engaged in bookbinding, etc., 180. -.■•■■■ Of bakers and biscuit and pastry makers / . there are 87- The processes of confectionery ■ , making give employment to 33, and those of , fruit-preserving to 25. Fifteen spend their time in preparing pickles and sauces, 11 in : manufacturing ' beverages, and 10 find un- • wholesome employment as cigar, cigarette, i and tobacco workers. One woman carries ! on the business of a miller, another owns a. •j slaughterhouse, four assist in.freezing works, and four help in the. process of fish-curing. I Nine earn their bread by, preparing cheese > • and butter. . i The workers in fibrous materials, as makers : of rope, canvas, tarpaulin, sacking, sail- j cloth, etc.,'number 16; and those engagedl : in mattress making and upholstery work, j 36. Two' describe themselves as under- I takers,-''one'"; being' an employer" of * labour, and one receiving wages. The making of ink, blacking, starch, blue, etc., provides wages for two, and three characterise themselves ..as manufacturing chemists. Makers of • artificial'flowers . and workers in other art products number seven. The occupation of woodcarving, • basket-making, toy-mak-ing, watchmaking, and carriage-building have each their followers; while there are of fuse and ■ .cartridge makers 33. The i manufacture of * harness and leather goods [generally employs nine, and the making of ; paper 12. Of female sawmillowners there ■■■ ! are three.; Workers in metals, Wuch aS; gold ' and silversmiths, electro-platers,"etc., number ;. 12. Our list of industrial occupations closes with house-decorating, house-building, and , tilemaking, etc., which have eaejb ..their, female .employees—ll in all. .. ' j PROFESSIONAL. . j Coming next in point of numbers is the ! class of wage earners known as professionals, \ and belonging to this class are 7247 women .j.and girls. A large proportion of these.del vote their time and energy to the education 1 of the young, 2914 being described .as.sch.pol- ' teacher.' or • mistress* The ■ more private ! education of a small minority of our New ! Zealand children demands the services of | 488 governesses. Those who wish to acquire a knowledge of foreign languages and : accomplishments othei than music give employment to 87. Music is responsible for the livelihood of nearly 1000, who as teachers, organists, etc., cultivate the 'art. Some few are specially preparing for j service in the musical world, and. a are described as students of music. Of painters, artists, and art, students New Zealand has 160.' Others connected with the education of young colonials ai-e: Lecturer on anatbmy, 1; instructor school of domestic instruction, 1; ' teachers of dancing, 3 ; and member of religious community teaching,! 1.81. • ■.'■■■• r . ' '■ •-. ••■ I Of those who minister to us in the way-| of amusement 89 are actresses, 5 are "lee- ; , hirers," and- 2 professional athletes. ;Pho-': tography gives, employment to 143. j Matters pertaining to. health' naturally ■ claim the .services of a. large number of /wo- ' men, and many are being .specially, .trained for- this essentially- .womanly work. From the tables before me I find that over. 1600 i i are employed as hospital and asylum at- j tendants and sicla; nurses. ■>■ The mode of, healing known- as," mass;j,ge.,h,as. bec,qme,pppu-. lar of , late years, and .masseuse' is the title ' claimed- by- 30' women. Chemistry is slowly winning its way as a means whereby educated women may gain a-living, :.21S havingadopted the profession. Dentistry, too* appareritly possesses attractions for some, 16 j women'finding employment in dental sur- ) geries. " Irregular medical' practitioner "is •the.'title given to 13, who effect cures by means .of herbal remedies, electricity, etc. i Female medical practitioners we may surely ' expect to see shortly in every town in the j colony, instead of in but one,, for seven women and girls are described as medical sui-* dents. One and one woman only has tLe courage to adopt the role of veterinary surgeon.- ; ; ■■.■-.■■.:< .- | }' Turning next to those directly charged! | with the inculcation of moral principles, we ; j .'see that over 250 devote themselves to tile j j service of their fellows as Salvation .Army \ j officers t Sisters'of the People, and Sisters of j Charity. Over. 100 more work in connection j with various charitable and benevolent mi -stitutions. i The department of law and order as yt-t I claims the time and energy of but few women; Fourteen are described as law . stu- ] I dents. Some of these have, .within the last: I year or-.two passed their examinations, and ; j are now ready to serve those in need of legal j help. -Duties as matrons, etq.j in prisons i are found for 15. • Literature provides a livelihood for a li-mited-number, 14 only making -journalism their chief calling in life. Shorthand writers j and reporters are rapidly increasing, 21 en- j terihg themselves as such two years ago, but since then the entries in this class of workers I have been many. ' Typewriting, too, has I found much favour with girls of late, 'and ; there are now many more than the 13 who ! alone are reported, as such. Two women j offer their services in the somewhat unusual i capacity of interpreter. i . COMMERCIAL,

j Iri the world, commercial woman is gain- | ing a footing, though not so rapidly as in i the world professional. Four thousand one hundred and eighteen women find scope.for their talents under the heads of property; i and finance, trade, and transport, and com- ! munication.', On examination it. appears; that these women take up under the foregoing heads no fewer than 79 different branches of work. A large proportion find j employment in miscellaneous shops; 672 j being entered as storekeepers. Then as\asi sistants in these undefined shops and stores jwe find over 400 women, including 21 store- j I women and • nine clerks. Of women mer-' j chants there are six, and of merchants' '■ clerks two. General dealers and assistants number 30, and those who hawk goods 23. The position of- commercial traveller and j saleswoman (undefined) is claimed by 270. i Eleven earn a liveihood as commission agent. Clerks, cashiers, and accountants in the commercial class not otherwise specialise.!, reach a total of 125. The sale of boots and shoes, dress and soft household goods gives employment to nearly 800, while 35 more are engaged as clerks in such businesses. Deal- j ing in se.cond-hand clothing brings a living j to at least four. ■ • ! iln stationers' and booksellers' establish- ' ments 58 are employed, while a congenial occupation is doubtless found for the '16 who act as librarians. Four women travel the country as book agents, two deal in musical instruments, and six assist in shops where such articles are sold. I Such businesses as ironmongery, china and glassware, fancy goods, furnishing, etc., provide wages'for..over 3.00. Eleven stand.be- . hind the counter in seedsmen's and florists' j shops ; and, either from choice or stress of. j circumstances, coal dealing is engaged in by , j about half a dozen. j Coming to the department of food we' see that the distribution of fruit and vegetables engages about 200 women and girls. ! Confectioners' and bakers' shops keep busy 115, and grocers' shops 195 Only three women enter their names as tea sorters orpackers, while 17 find their duties in tobacconists' shops. The daily distribution of milk employs 89, the supplying of meat 36, and the sale of other edibles —such as fish, game, butter and cheese, etc.—find work for 28. |' But few of our wage-earning women have as yet turned their attention to property and finance.- One has gone into an auctioneer's business, and two are connected with land and estate agencies. Money is made by 157 ,as landowners and speculators, while 203 lat once serve their fellows and earn their j own living as house proprietors. In con- j | nection with banks two are engaged ; one lis a share and stockbroker ;52 are capi- i j talists or money brokers ; one is a financial .

agent; and two are pawnbrokers. Insur- ] ance companies employ four women as : agents, and three as canvassers. \ Means of transport and communication has also so far proved but a small field for the woman breadwinner, though year by ■ year it is enlarging. In country districts ; the post office is not infrequently kept by a woman, and 62 are entered as being connected with the postal service in the capacity of either postmistress, clerk, sorter, or Contractor. The telegraphic service provides work for 11 women and girls, and the increasingly popular telephone engages the* attention of 126. Four a.ct as crossing caretakers of railway lines ; less than a dozen are cab and omnibus ownere, carriers, etc. ; , and 62 earn their daily bread on ■ the. seas \ as stewardesses. AGKICTJLTURAi, FASTOBAL, ETC. The good work begun in England and j elsewhere in specially training women for ■ agricultural jmrsuits will■ doubtless have its effect on New Zealand women in due time. At present such work' does not apparently attract very many. Of the 3114 so engaged, however, it may be noted that nearly 1100 have their own farms. About 1600 are assistants on farms; nearly 70 'pay special attention to sheep and cattle farming, and 150 find employment in dairy work. Mar- ! ket gardening is adopted by 19, but only two find scope for their talents in. the healthful work of .general fruitgrowing. Eight devote themselves to the ailtivation of the vine, while .one is described as a pisciculturist, and 10 find in poultry-farming a means of earning a living. Mining—gold and coal—is the -pursuit of four, and three : find employment as diggers of the kauri j gum. '■■''.. The foregoing is, I believe, a fairly complete return of the occupations of over 50,000 women wage earners, and may probably be taken as an indication of the varied tastes and abilities possessed by our colonial women. We are but a young country, with a small population, yet the fact that over 200 different modes of gaining -a living have already been adopted by those women and girls who froni 'choice or necessity eat the bread of independence does not, I take it, augur ill for the spirit and enterprise of New Zealand womanhood.