The Domestic Worker

Southland Times, Issue 23228, 17 June 1937, Page 15

The Domestic Worker

POSITION IN LONDON Maids are difficult to find, and even more difficult to hold, in London, for domestic service, in all its categories, continues to be unpopular. Apropos of this, the Wayfarers’ Guild, composed of representative mistresses and maids, has just been inaugurated, writes the London correspondent of The Sydney Morning Herald. Over cups of tea, at the first meeting, the members discussed the report of a recent investigation among thousands of domestic workers and employers throughout Britain. This formed the basis of the proposed new code, which includes: Two half-days off each week; one complete day off once a month; no cancelling of off-time without due notice; and more courtesy and consideration on the part of the employers. Miss Boucher, a well-educated Hereford woman, who has been cookgeneral to a Hampstead family for 15 years, was given time off to attend the meeting. “Nothing will be accomplished,” she declared, “until the status of the servant is raised to that of the nurse.” She told of parties at which she was cordially received—until she revealed what her job was. “I don’t mind mentioning my work, because I am proud of it,” she added. The investigation revealed that: Servants do not object to the term, “servant”

They are satisfied with their wages, which in most cases are better than those of the average shop, factory, and office worker.

. Their chief grievance is in regard to liberty; they envy keenly the fixed hours of other workers. “Unless a solution is found for the domestic servant problem,” said Mrs M. M. Bear, founder of the guild, “there will be a greater diminuation in the number of children in middle-class households and a gradual abandonment of family life in favour of the artificial existence in hotels and service flats.”