FARM HOUSEKEEPERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23859, 13 July 1939, Page 7

FARM HOUSEKEEPERS

SHORTAGE OF TRAINED WOMEN ATTRACTIONS OF TOWN WORK (Paa United Press Association; WELLINGTON, July 12. “ Only those actually engaged in the work really know the problems and appreciate the worry of endeavouring to serve efficiently against what seem to fee the insuperable odds created by circumstances arid general conditions over which we have little or no control,” stated the secretary of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union (Mrs A. B. Smith), reporting to the division’s annual conference to-day on its housekeeping scheme. “As far as headquarters is concerned,” she said.' “ I have explored every avenue to maintain a staff of capable women, but have had to do my best with a skeleton staff, satisfying myself that it is better to decline applications and to retain only a few of the best than to. employ at high .wages women who are not ■ suited, and have not the personal qualifications necessary to make them good division housekeeper's.” There were 64 registered housekeepers.- compared with 70 12 months previously, she said, the difference being more significant when the extension of the work was considered. There had been a great rush of workers of every class to Wellington. Huge blocks of flats employed housekeepers and other helpers for daily service, and with so much work of that kind offering at high rates of pay the number likely to consider work in the country was at a minimum. During the year housekeepers had filled 1066 engagements. Mrs Smith said. The membership of the division had been sustained, well, 20,033 names being recorded at March 31. Twentytwo new senior branches had- been formed, making a total of 538 senior and 16 junior branches. - ■