WORK FOR GIRLS

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 498, 21 July 1932, Page 7

WORK FOR GIRLS

SERVICE IN COUNTRY I i SLAVERY CONDITIONS ALLEGED Christchurch women who have been closely in touch with the female aspect of the unemployment problem were in accord with the view expressed in the Sun by Mr J. Roberts that girls were being driven into domestic service in the country for a mere pittance. It was claimed that, girls were almost reduced to conditions of slavery, and that many people expected them to work long hours for nothing except a shelter. It was pointed out that it was the olicy of the Christchurch Women's Unemployment Committee that girls could not be expected to work for nothing, and in cases where employers cannot pay the full rate the committee subsidises the wages up to 10s a week. One member of the Women's Unemployment Committee informed a reporter that often she had rings on the telephone from people who desired girls to go out to the country—often an environment totally unsuited to the girls concerned —for nothing except a roof over their heads. The girls were expected to do all the housework. This was utterly unfair, and very few girls were taking advantage of the offers. Another woman said that it was a shame to send girls out into the country against their will. They were expected in many cases to work for nothing, and had to do very heavy work, including general housework, washing and minding children. There was one case of a woman who had gone to the country as a companion and was expected to take on felling trees among her duties. Help Wanted in Cities "There seems to be a perpetual cry for girls to go out and help the farmer," she said. "What about the city professional or business man? These people often need as much —or more —help in their homes as the country person, and are often in the same position as the farmer, being unable to pay the full amount of wages for help. "It is the policy of the Christchurch Women's Unemployment Opmmittee that girls should not be asked to work for nothing, and in cases where the full wages cannot be paid the committee subsidises up to 10s a week. Why should the farmer alone get the benefit of that? The girls in the city would be better suited to their environment if they were, allowed to work in Christchurch hemes."

Another woman pointed out that often conditions of work in the country were unsatisfactory. The girl was given nothing at all, and often the owner of the property concerned went into the city, leaving the girl alone with all the men on the farm. An Unsatisfactory Scheme Altogether, the women were in emphatic agreement with Mr. Roberts about the unsatisfactory nature of the scheme. Another point of view was given by Mr. M. E. Lyons,secretary of the Canterbury A. and P. Association. He considered that it was all nonsense to say that Mr. Roberts's remarks applied to the whole farming community. Where girls were offered a position without wages it was often a case of the farmer concerned not needing help, but being willing to give a girl a home. He was convinced that if any real service was being given by the girl it was being paid for.