WOMAN'S WORK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10233, 16 August 1911, Page 1

WOMAN'S WORK.

THE DOMESTIC SERVANT

PROBLEM

POSITION IN THE FOUR CENTRES. [From Otm Cobkisspondext.l WELLINGTON, August 15. The scarcity of women workers in the cities is emphasised by the reports of the Avomen's employment branches of the Labour Department in the cluex centres, the scarcity being most marked in respect of domestic service, and the reports on the subject are highly valuable, inasmuch as they are the settled opinion of women who see both sides of the question. As each year passes," the Auckland report, runs, " the supply of domestics becomes more and more acute. Shorter hours and better conditions have been adopted in other branches of women's work within recent years, and women cannot be expected to take the domestic work as a. livelihood until better conditions prevail. Domestic service to become acceptable to our young women must bo raised to a higher level. The srirl of twenty years ago is a different type from the girl of to-day, who is better educated. It will be noted that 777 generals have been applied for and only 141 women offered themselves for this particular work. There is a strong dislike to take to this branch of employment, owing to the fact that they are generally expected to be on duty for very long hours. Also, it is understood that tlie position of a ' general' ranks on the lower rungs of the domestic ladder. The cure, no doubt, lies to some extent with the mistress herself, by raising the position of the domestic worker in her house and by inculcating an idea of the dignity of domestic work."

The officer in charge of the Wellington branch displays more sympathy with tho mistresses. "The ideal servant." she writes, "is a very rare caller. The majority of those applying were not well trained, and did not possess the necessary qualifications required by the employer. Although the wages reached a fairly' high standard the girls preferred to take up work in hotels, shops and restaurants, where tho conditions of work and hours are more defined. Not only has the wage of the domestic reached a standard that only the comparatively rich can afford to pay, but the discrimination shown by the girls against homes where there are children makes the position most acute for some hard working mothers. With the factories clamouring for more girls and the increased number of openings there appear© to he from month to mouth at good wages in hotels, slices and restaurants I tear the outlook for any immediate improvement for those requiring domestic workers is not reassuring."

The Christchurch ofScer seeks a further reason than the one usually ascribed. iT •' The branch has been opened nearly three years and is new firmly established and recognised as a great assistance to both employers and workers. Tho only regret is that it cannot meet the requirements of the employers for workers. There are .several theories advanced as to why domestic workers are so hard to get. One is that girls prefer_ factory to private employment. That is evidently nob the reason, as even the factories are greatly in need of women workers; iri fact, several factories have been unable to go on with their winter orders for overcoats and uniforms owing to the scarcity of women workers, and notwithstanding the fact that employers are willing to'take girls without previous experience and pay them good wages, provided they could use a sewing machine. There are, I think, many girls who prefer domestic work, as it is quieter, and they have a home provided. The difficulty is that women workers- are hard to get for all kinds of employment, and although immigrants are arriving, very few are looking for employment." " Undoubtedly the success of the bureau has been greatly handicapped by the great dearth of domestic servants," writes the Dunedin officer. "Notwithstanding the high wages offered and the privileges granted, great difficulty is experienced in getting domestic workers, especially for private houses. A good deal may be said as, to the rer.«eiio for this. Suffice it to say. however, that with the colonial girl the very marked dislike to accepting work as general in a private house is evidently on tho increase, and her objections are many and varied." The Masterton and Nelson officers also testify to the scarcity of domestics. "The trouble," says the Nelson officer, " is not confined to domestic workers, but is also noticeable in manufacturing industries and millinery trades in this district. A number of women workers are employed in the fruit and hop industries, and this class of labour is preferred.' by them to domestic work. Even with this preference, employers in the fruit industry complain that they aro hampered on account of the scarcity of women workers during tho busy season."