WOMEN WORKERS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1786, 4 November 1919, Page 4

WOMEN WORKERS.

A COMMISSION FROM OVERSEAS. A matter of importance to the whole of New Zealand is the arrival of the Misses Girdler and Watkins, who are commissioned by the Imperial Government to investigate the opportunities for women workers in this Dominion, and also to judge, as far as possible', of the greatest needs of the employers here, states the Wellington "Post"" of Saturday. Miss Girdler, who is a member of the Women's Eoyal Air Force, and Miss Watkins, of the women's branch of tho Board of Agriculture, are not demobilised, but are seconded specially for the service on which they are engaged at present. Miss Girdler left England in April, and has been making similar investigations in Canada, where, she says, the prospects for women are good, though there are climatic disadvantages. On the land, for instance, the work was i practically to be _ crowded into five I months of the year, while the rest is more or less a time of want of occupation. In spite of the difficulties many women are doing well, and Miss Girdler mentioned a case where a woman farmed 70 acres single-handed, while in another two women farmed 40 acres together. Both ladies are satisfied that , the women who will be detailed for New j Zealand will be of the finest possible I class. Those who are coming from the , Land Army are not yet demobilised, and : are women who, from time to time, have [expressed a wish to go out to a different j part of the Empire. No woman who has not given at least six months of satisfactory service will be eligible for overseas. I In entering any branch of the organised women's services in England the women are carefully selected for health, character, etc:, and receive good training. Another selection will be made for those who will be eligible for New Zealand, and the High Commissioner will have the last word; therefore the women may be looked for with interest and approval, and will doubtless be thankfully welcomed by employers. The British Government is treating the women in the service as soldiers, and will continue to do so, as they will be given free passages to the various Dominions when passed as suitable. Miss Girdler*and Miss Watkins are inquiring as to the terms of domestic employment in New Zealand, and l\ppe that quite a large number will be available here, as so many have from time to time expressed willingness to take up work in another country, and they are particularly anxious to help supply the needs of mothers in country districts. Inquiries were made as to the prospects for women day-workers, who would spend so many hours each day at various homes, to the relief of overworked women in the towns. It appears that workers of both descriptions will be available if the want from here is expressed to the British Government, ■ through the two delegates. Both these ladies have been in New Zealand before, Miss Watkins having lived in the Bay of Islands for some years, and Miss Girdler having been here in 1914, leaving in 1915 to take up war work in England. For some time she was superintending in a munition factory, 'where she came across a New Zealand lady doctor and another lady from the Dominion, who was doing munition work, and in each case admired their work and adaptability. Miss Sr^ le A r T, wears the grey-blue of the W.K.A.F., and the distinguishing "wings," while Miss Watkins is in khaki, with the badge of the Land, Army. It is likely that the mission of these two ladies will be highly successful, and the result will be anticipated

with hopeful and enthusiastic interest by Isew Zealand women.