DUAL EMPLOYMENT.

Southland Times, Issue 21649, 10 March 1932, Page 4

DUAL EMPLOYMENT.

To the Editor.

Sir,—Your correspondent “Fairplay” is evidently not aware that like all other organisms man can live only by assimilating part of his environment and by converting it from a condition in which it is less, to a condition in which it is better adapted to the satisfaction of his wants. "Fairplay” first of all assails the married woman teacher whose husbands he alleges are quite capable of being the breadwinners. If “Fairplay” had signed his letter “Communist” instead I would not have taken any notice of it. I am not writing this on behalf of any woman teacher because I know they can look after themselves, , but ‘Fairplay’s” proposition relatively to women or dual employment is nothing but impertinence. What right has he or I to dictate to married women what they shall do with their acknowledged gifts and the lawful exercise of them. His proposition is one that I would expect from a Communist. He must therefore be moving in a queer economic circle. I ask him what difference is there between the private citizen who from the store of his savings embarks upon a new venture towards the end of his career and the Superannuated Civil Servant who has the knowledge and ability to either fill a salaried position or embark upon a business of say a florist or a music teacher. During the period of his once active service he may have cultivated a taste for gardening or he may have acquired an excellent knowledge of music. Take for instance a farmer who, in the prosperous years not long past, sold his farm for a clear few hundreds and after getting tired of living a period of idleness, decides to enter business as a draper in Dee street.

Would “Fairplay” dare to write to your paper and point out that farmers, who might or might not be able to live on their incomes, should not bo allowed to enter any business on their own account? I would strongly urge “Fairplay” to get back to school aud study the Elementary Principles of Economics. I will deal with Mr McNaught’s letter later on when I will attempt to give liim and his Woodlands associates a little advice, I am, etc., LIVE AND LET LIVE.