WOMEN WHO KEEP MEN OUT OF JOBS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17871, 12 June 1926, Page 1

WOMEN WHO KEEP MEN OUT OF JOBS.

To the Editor. Sir.—May I air a few grievances re some probable causes of the unemployment question, which is so acute at the present time. It is quite on the cards that there will always be this question until doomsday. The only way to tackle the subject is to get to the root of the evil. Well, firstly', 1 wonder if the general public realise how many people are holding “double jobs” as it were. I know several people in this city who are doing real well on the “double.” The husbands are holding managerships in some of the biggest concerns in Christchurch, whilst their wives are occupying positions in drapery firms mainly, as heads of millinery and dressmaking departments and showrooms. Further, a lot of these folks have no “responsibilities" except the care of themselves—they have no home, no children, no rates or taxes to pay, as invariably they live at private boarding houses and hotels. Then again there are others—husbands and wives in all varieties of situations, whilst there is a tremendous crowd of people who own small stores and businesses—husbands to work during the day, whilst the wives look after the business. Now of course, people will say—if these people are energetic enough to earn a living this way. why stop them? Yes by all means, thev are. justly entitled to the results of their labour to make a little extra, but then again, somebody else has to go without while others get double. If there were not enough labour for the market then I would say, go right ahead and good luck, but at the present time, Xo. —it is simply selfishness, or probably plain ignorance. Employers should make it their

business to see that no married woman is employed when she has a husband receiving a living wage, i.e. at least £5 a week. If a married woman is the sole supporter of the home, where the husband is crippled or unable to work, then I say give her more, or the Government could subsidise her wages, as a reward for her courage in going forth to support a home. \Ye know it is hard enough for a man to earn a decent living these times, but it is twice as hard for the women folk. Trusting some abler pen than mine will take the matter up, and give a few instances where the “double paysheet” robs some earnest seeker of a likely position.—l am, etc., “LIVE AND LET LIVE.”