THE DOMESTIC HELP QUESTION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12240, 14 June 1909, Page 7

THE DOMESTIC HELP QUESTION.

(To the Editor.) - Sir. —I Have read the two letters on the domestic help question in:the columns of your paper. "Home,"*! fancy, must regard the desire of those who favour the petition as emanating from a love of'luxury andfself -indulgence. It really is not so, I. think, in the majority; of cases. The. Dominion is not, compoisr ed of a wealthy society-loving community, but largely of thc&e who spend the greater part of their time in strenuously using both hand and brain. It is for these we pray—not the minority. And it is not a question involving merely the individual needs and wants of^ a certain section of the community > but a State one and one of grave political importance. The women of to-day aro tho mothers of a later time and if they are not * cared ; for where will be the Dominion of the future. No thinking or observant person can doubt th-it the lack of competent help or, indeed,; in" many cases, of help of any kind is seriously affecting the birth rate. As things are now the woman who wishes for a family (and there are many of them) must have as a first esseintial, almost superhuman strength. This is most certainly the case in the country. •;A friend of mine whose work necessitated his travelling from home to home in a backblocks district, told me that he met at every turn with women who wejre on the point of breaking down, and yet could not procure help. I think if "Home" could come and Jive in the bush where I-live, and see the lives of the women round her she might feel and think differently, and with more sympathy for her struggling sisters. It is not that the workers' side is unthought of —they have their lives to live too, and I agree with "Home's" evident opinion that those lives should be* made as bright as possible, but surely there might be mutual consideration. If the right feeling exists on both sides, there should, be no jar in the relation, and often there is not —nothing but mutual respect and goodwill. And sooner or later almost all women marry out here in every class and the fact that a woman has had to earn her living in domestic service prior to her marriage does not prevent her from requiring help herself when her day comes. Consequently it is to every woman's advantage, no matter of what class, to sign the petition now lying at the Council Chambers. Can they not see it? There is work for all up to a certain point, and no one wants to pass that point. With regard to English emmigrants if what "Home" says is true, and I believe it is, why should wo go to England at all? Why not Scandivania, whose daughters have already proved themselves both as domestic helpers and as colonists —or Switzerland—better tlian English girls, I should think to judge from the experience of many. And once more to combat "Home's" arguments. It is not the mothers of grown-up daughters who have been allowed^to leave home. Who are the sufferers but those of large families of little ones, all steps and stairs, and all more or less helpless. In conclusion will every woman reader of this pease weigh both sides carefully and act as her conscience directs. But if in favour of the petition sign without fail and at once as another day will be too late.^-I am etc.,

DOMINION