WOMEN’S LAND ARMY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 234, 4 October 1943, Page 2

WOMEN’S LAND ARMY

RECRUITS WANTED. PAY AND ALLOWANCES. Members of the W.W.S.A. are helping in a recruiting drive for land girls. Those wishing to join are invited to Dustin’s Tearoom (upstairs) any day this week between the hours of 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Mothers who wish to know all particulars of work and conditions are also invited. The following particulars will be of interest to recruits: The decision as to whether a girl may be released to join the land service is made by the manpower authorities. Girls under 21 years of age must obtain the consent of parent or guardian. Applicants must enrol for the duration, out will be released from the service on application to the Director of National Service where he considers the circumstances warrant such action. . The girls are employed on dairy ana general farms, ana are not required to do heavy work or work beyond their physical strengtn and capacity. The wages ioi the first six months of employny® if inexperienced, are £2 Is a weelvoii dairy and £1 16s on general farms. Tfiereaicer, or if experienced on joining the service, the rates are £2 8s <1 and £2 3s 6d respectively. Board and lodgings must be provided by the •employer, or in lieu thereof a casn allowance of £1 a week is payable. The employer receives a subsidy of £l, a week 'for the first three months and 12s 6d a week lor the remaining three months in respect of inexperienced workers. During this period employers are required to provide an employee with the best possible training. Where only one member of the service is employed on a farm she must be accommodated within the homestead and is not required to share a room with any member of the employer's family. Vv'here there are two or more land girls they may be accommodated in detachea quarters, but meals must be supplied in the homestead. Their duties are any of the usual ones on a dairy or general farm. They are not required to do any domestic work except in connection with their own quarters, clothing, etc. Insurance is arranged by the employer and at his cost under the Workers’ Compensation Act. There are paid annual holidays in accordance with the Agricultural Workers’ Act for dairy farm and the Agricultural Workers’ Extension Order for those employed on general farms. The return of the girls to their pre ; service jobs is safeguarded by legislation. Land gins are provided with a smart brown uniform and greatcoat, with green tie and green insignia oi the service on the upper sleeves oi both uniform and topcoat; a brown beret drawn down on the right-hand side like the W.A.A.F. beret carrying the badge of the Land Service. The dress hat is a brown lelt hat worn with the crown dented in all round and the hat turned up at the left-hand side and fastened by a badge. The dress uniform is acknowledged as the smartest of all the services. Working equipment, is on a lavish e scale and outfits a girl against all weather. An upkeep allowance of 4s a week is payable to each member to establish a reserve fund from which replacements may be purchased at cost price from the National Service Department. Besides free transport to and from employment, each member of the service receives three free return fares each year to visit her home and in addition receives cash concession- fares on the same basis as servicewomen on rail and railway road transport at all times.