WOMEN IN VITAL JOBS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 56, 7 March 1942, Page 5

WOMEN IN VITAL JOBS

WAR WORK IN BRITAIN VALUE OF PART-TIME AID Rugby, March 5. Opening the House of Commons debate on woman-power, Mr. M. S. MeCorquodale, Parliamentary Secretary of National Service, said that to date 5,000,000 have been registered, of whom about 1.500,000 have been interviewed, and that interviews are continuing at the rate of about 50,000 a week. Apart altogether from service and civil defence requirements, he said, about 35,000 women were being placed in jobs weekly, or about 150,000 a month. Of those called up, about half had gone into civil defence or into the forces and the other haif into industry. Women in vital jobs, he said, would not be called up, but there was only a very limited number coming into that category. It was realised that the future demand could not be met from women of the higher age groups, owing to the difficulties of women in those groups leaving their homes. There must, therefore, be d further comb ot the younger women He emphasised that an increasingly large number of women must be taken away from jobs in the less essential industries. There were areas into which women must be imported for war work. Many women, because of their houshold responsibilities, were classified as “immobile,” but this did not mean that they could not be used in the war effort There was a local war effort to which they could be sent to take over the work of “mobile” women who were being withdrawn. There must be a great extension of part-time work, and he could not sufficiently emphasise the importance of wide extension of parttime work in the national effort. The difficulties were great, but not in- , superable, and he appealed to employers, as a national duty, to endeavour to start a part-time scheme wherever possible. Firms which had tried such systems of part-time work- ; ing had been agreeably surprised at the results. i If people were to be directed to employment and not have an unfettered right to leave employiYlent, there was an obligation on the pail of the Government to see that proper provision was made for their health and well-being, and the Ministry’s widespread welfare organisation was doing this work.—B.O.W. MORE MEN TO SERVE AGE-LIMIT EXTENSION Rugby, March 5. Men of 41 to 45, inclusive, are made liable for national service by a Royal Proclamation, which also calls on them who at to-day’s date have reached the age of 18. The higher age limit for men had previously been 41. The proclamation also calls up for service women of the same age groups who were born between December 18 and March 5, but who . were )ot covered by the previous proclamation. Doctors and dentists, who previously were recruited below the age of 41, will now be called up between 41 and 46.—8.0.W. i