DOMESTIC SERVANTS AND SOCIAL SECURITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23631, 15 October 1938, Page 9

DOMESTIC SERVANTS AND SOCIAL SECURITY

TO THE EDITOB Sir,—Yes, as “Domestic” (Oamaru) has perceived, at last an injustice to all other women wage earners is to be removed, and “ Domestic ” is going to take her share of the burden and pay wages tax, from which she has enjoyed unfair exemption up till now She is going to pay on the money she receives into her hand and on her board, just as the rest of us do—whether we receive that board allowance in cash to be paid out again immediately every week, or whether it is deducted from our wages, as is done in certain institutions. There is just this difference, that “ Domestic ” is going to be mighty lucky if she is going to pay on as little as 15s per week for board. How many of the rest of us can find board at home, or away from home, at that low figure? And “Domestic” is still in clover, for she is going to pay towards her own definite benefits; the rest of us have been contributing thousands upon thousands of pounds in the past years, out of which we receive not one penny piece. The matter of a wages book is for the employers to deal with, and the keeping of one, even for a large business, is so simple that a school child could handle it, so that a household one will present no difficulties As for supervision by Government inspectors. that need trouble no one Over years of business life, the writer has found inspectors, on the rare occasions of their visits, courteous and anxious to be as just to the employer and employee as to their department.—l am etc.. Woman Earner.