DOMESTIC SERVANTS

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160722, 7 August 1920, Page 7

DOMESTIC SERVANTS

MR HOLLAND’S .VIEWS. Mr H. Holland made a special plea m the House of Representatives on behalf of domestic servants, other speakers having suggested that there was employment waiting for them in the Dominion if they emigrated from \ Britain. Mr Holland referred to the conditions attending domestic service. What opportunities had these girls—• what opportunities, for instance, of marriage? At election time a domestic servant ;«aw a certain amount of one-sided literature, and was expected to vote as her mistress and master did. She was required to sit at a separate table and have her meals by herself, and sometimes call the children “Master’’ or “Miss!” A line was drawn between her and the people who were supposed to be her superiors—and then pcolc wondered why the average 4 woman fought shy of domestic service. Mr Holland wished to say that these remarks did not necessarily apply to the girls employed in country homes, because there was a greater degree of association between the mistress and servant, and the reason was that the wife of the farmer was generally a woman who worked herself. In the homes of the very wealthy the time had got to come when the country would require that more useful service should be performed and when it would not tolerate an idle man or an idle woman The Hon. Nosworthy; This is so nice from the leader of the go-slow policy. (Loud laughter). Mr Holland (with heat): The hon. the Minister can only express himself “in kinks and squizzels.” Tie had better keep quiet, because we have had enough of his personal abuse. (Laughter and interruptions). Mr Holland v/ont on to say that in New Zealand there were 20,000 females more than males, and if they brought another 10,000 here,- what would bo the position? No woman’s life was complete until she was married, and was the mother of children. There wore already 20.000 women who would never enjoy the joys of motherhood— The Hon. Dr Pomare: *How do yon know? Mr Holland: I think that it is a disgrace to the Ministerial benches that a Minister should make that interjection. (Laughter). Dr Pomare: You can’t tell us they won’t get married. Mr Holland: There arc 20.000 more women than men, and if the boh. member is in favour of polygamy! (Interruptions). Unless ' the" hon. member suggests polygamy there can be nothing in his question. Dr Pomare; That is what they do in Russia, though, isn’t it? Mr Holland wont ou to say that the Labour party raised no objection to immigration—provided there was accommodation for the immigrants—but it should be systematised, and men asd women should have work to go to. He suggested immigrants should be sent to the West Coast, where there was accommodation and work awaiting them.