TRANSFER OF WOMEN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25457, 11 February 1944, Page 3

TRANSFER OF WOMEN

WORK IN THE NORTH PROTEST TO MINISTER A deputation, representing various employing interests, waited on the Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) yesterday to protest against women being sent from Dunedin to work in northern centres The deputation emphasised the seriousness of the local labour situation and the results which would occur if women ire the latest age groups to register were sent from their present employment and homes. The Mayor stated, after the deputa-tion-had retired, that the difficulties encountered by employers showed signs of being accentuated as a result of the declaration of the Minister of Manpower (Mr A. McLagan) that a further age group of women between the ages of 31 and 40 must register. These women would be liable for removal from their homes and occupations, and if this occurred the difficulties of employers would become greater. The Mayor later sent the following telegram to Mr McLagan:—“ This morning I have been waited upon by a deputation representing the Otago Retailers’ Association, the Taxi Association, and influential citizens urging that I should protest to you against the transference of female personnel from their occupations and residence in Dunedin. They are essential to their present employers, and from their point of view they strongly object to being directed to such as domestic service in the North Island and separated from their homes. North Island towns and cities, with their larger populations, should draw upon their own personnel, instead of depleting the population of Dunedin. Trade and industry here are already severely handicapped through a lack of staffs. J join in their protests.”