UNEMPLOYED WOMEN

Waipa Post, Volume 44, Issue 3182, 26 May 1932, Page 5

UNEMPLOYED WOMEN

RELIEF COMMITTEE FORMED IN HAMILTON. REGISTER TO BE COMPILED. The distres amongst unemployed women and girls in Hamilton has been increasing steadily, and the position is becoming acute. The Mayoress, Mrs F. D. Pinfold, has formed an Emergency Committee to alleviate the distress among the unemployed women and girls,, and several schemes were discussed at a meeting of the committee on Tuesday, at which Mrs C. G. Downes (Mayoress of Te Awamutu) was specially invited. Mrs Pinfold pointed out that nothing could really be done until the number of unemployed women and girls was obtained. It was decided to compile a register, and on the mornings of Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12 noon, all unemployed women and girls are invited to enrol either at the Borough Council Chambers, at the rear of the Town Hall, or at the Frankton Town Hall. Employers looking for women or girls are also asked to notify the members oil the committee who are compiling the register. An emergency executive committee was then set up representative of all social organisations. It was pointed out that the committee would endeavour" to place girls in all classes of employment. It is not dealing with purely domestic work. Mrs C. G. Downes (Te Awamutu) said that so far there was no distress amongst the women of Te Awamutu, and she thought that she could probably place some of the unemployed girls in Hamilton in positions in Te Awamutu. The positions would mostly be domestic duties. Mrs Downes added that the Women's Division was functioning splendidly in Te Awamutu district, and its housekeeping scheme was, she believed, a great success. The Women's Institute was also organised to collect and make up clothing for issue to needy families. A "bee" of willing workers would do the sewing and another committee would see to the issuing of articles where the most good would result. Mrs L. V. Judd (Matangi) pointed out that there were several positions available for domestics in the country but the girls would not take hem. Several speakers endorsed Mrs Judd's remarks, and it was explained by Mrs Pinfold that if an unemployed woman or girl who had registered refused a good position because it was in the country she could not demand further assistance.

Several schemes were discussed, but it was decided to wait until the register had been compiled before finalising anything. The Emergency Committee would then meet the Hamilton Labour Department, with a view to gaining Government assistance.

In the course of a chat this morning, our representative was informed by Mrs Downes that the telegraphed report of her remarks at the meeting ia Hamilton were inaccurate, and she amplified her remarks as published above. Mrs Downes said she had been asked to act in Te Awamutu supplementary to the work at Hamilton. The neecssary itorms would be available for signature by girls over 16 years and women desiring employment, and a list would also be prepaied of householders willing to give employment. Personal interviews would be arranged, so that suitable jobs would be found. It was hoped that both sides, prospective employers and employees, would co-operate with the committee and thus ensure the success of the scheme.