PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYMENT

Southland Times, Issue 24184, 22 July 1940, Page 4

PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYMENT

WOMEN NEEDED FOR TEMPORARY STAFF MEN’S POSITIONS TO BE FILLED Women recruits for the Public Service are being sought in Christchurch from girls’ secondary schools and from Canterbury University College, in addition to applicants who may be obtained by advertisement. The Christchurch Youth Centre has been advised that young women up to 21 years may now be appointed as cadets on the temporary staff at the male salary scale beginning at £BO a year. At Canterbury University College a notice to students states that the college authorities are informed that positions in the Public Service are likely shortly to be made available to women on the same footing and at the same pay as men, at a salary of £BO a year, rising to £320. Women graduates or undergraduates who .are interested are advised to call at the Youth Centre. The Public Service Commissioner (Mr T. Mark) explained in an interview with The Press that applications were being invited from all types of women, including girls who had passed the matriculation or Public Service entrance examinations, or who held leaving certificates. They were required mainly to replace men who enlisted. The women who were appointed would be treated in practically the same way as men in the service. The salaries paid would be those equivalent to the positions filled, depending on the experience of the applicants. Women entering at the cadet age would receive cadets’ salaries. Mr Mark said there was more scope for the better trained and more experienced women, and for girls who had experience in shorthand and typing. There had been quite a good response so far, and quite a number of women had been appointed. Mr Mark said there had always been openings for women in the Public Service, but with the war and the shortage of men the number of these openings had increased All the new appointments of women to clerical positions would be to the temporary staff, but it would be possible for those appointed to contribute to the superannuation fund.