W.D.F.U’s. GOOD WORK

Waipa Post, Volume 48, Issue 3480, 16 June 1934, Page 4

W.D.F.U’s. GOOD WORK

HOUSEKEEPERS FOR FARMS. In a recent report from the Bush Nurse and Housekeepers’ Auxiliary of the W.D.F.U., the good work done among country women all over the Dominion is made apparent. In one case a housekeeper was supplied for seven weeks. The employer was vjery ill, and could not pay anything toward the wages. As the branch had only recently been formed, the had no funds, the full wages were paid from the Community Chest. A branch had a very deserving application for a housekeeper for eigat weeks. One housekeepex- was in the engagement for six weeks at 255. and another one (a casual) a fortnight at £1 per week. The employer could only pay 5s per week, and as the bi’anch had only £4 on hand, they asked that their responsibility be reduced to 7s 6d per week for the eight weeks. This was granted on the authority of the advisory members. SACKS FOR BEDDING. A newly-formed branch asked for assistance'for a family of seven children, the father being a returned soldier out of woi’k. As the children had nothing- but sacks for bed coverings two pairs of blankets were supplied from headquartex-s. A housekeeper was supplied to a woman who has a bad heart and had been ill since the last eai-thquake in the district. The applicant was unable to pay anything, and the house-keepex-’s engagement wds for eight weeks. DANGER OF INFECTION FACED. In another case a mother who had been in a sanatorium applied for a housekeeper, and a capable casual was supplied for two months, and another with nursing expei’ience for a third month, these two housekeepers knowing the conditions of the case and going at their own risk, as a registered housekeeper could not be sent because of danger of infection. In each case the housekeeper was paid 29s per week, the employer contribxxting 5s per week and the branch their responsibility of 10s. The,re ar e three small children, and as the branch considers the mother will need a housekeepei- for some time to come, they have applied for a further extension of the engagement over the maximum of three months.