EQUAL PAY for WOMEN

Cue (NZERS), Issue 6, 31 August 1944, Page 1

EQUAL PAY for WOMEN

(By

Even before the war there was a rising feminist movement throughout the world which was becoming more and more loud in its demands for sex equality.

(Now that war-time conditions have brought the womenhood of the United Nations so prominently to the fore, those demands are likely to persist in the post-war years to a most embarrassing degree — embarrassing, that is, to the traditional breadwinner. It is as well to consider the whole question pretty thoroughly and to discuss it in the comparative security and safety of the front line before entering the arena of civilian life. The shattering fury of an 88 mm will pale into insignificance beside the

measured, crushing tread of woman bent on establishing her imagined rights. There may, perhaps, be some elder brethren who, with pale faces and trembling hands, can recall- the « women’s suffrage» campaign of the last war. One of woman’s most charming characteristics has been her ageold claim to dependance on the male. Married men might protest wearily that such a dogma is but a myth — a snare to trap young players. Be that as it may, the pose has nevertheless been maintained for countless generations, with the utmost satisfaction to all concerned. But the war has tended to destroy this delightful illusion and, in this present day world of hard, grim reality, the more harmless illusions that are preserved, the better. While a sturdy independence of spirit in a woman is admired by

all.—-from a suitable distance — on the other hand let there not be that material independence which enables her to snap her fingers' in the face of the suplicating male. On these grounds alone must equal pay for women be fought — tooth and nail. There are { some who might point, to Soviet Russia. In that country labour or skill is paid on a basis which disregards the sex of the worker. An excellent notion and one which seems to work admirably. Which brings up the point of equality of hardship. The Russians, in their own inimitable fashion, have reduced sex to. its simplest terms. The female Russian coal-heaver is expected to toss around the same number and weight of sacks - as her male counterpart — otherwise the question of equal payment undergoes drastic revision. ' v But what might work in Russia is no guarantee of similar success in, say, New Zealand. Russian women, perhaps, because of their peasant heritage, can mend roads, unload ships, engage in L heavy industry, fight and live as soldiers in r * the firing line with all its squalor and discomfort and misery, equally well with men —• and are paid accordingly. On the other hand, the average European woman would just not be equal to such tasks, which is probably

just as well, for few 'men could view such a prospect with equanimity.

Pro-feminists, upon whose lips are by now trembling all the time-worn arguments and refutations about women driving taxis, cranes and what-not, must be given their innings. Everybody knows of cases where Aunt Fannie turns a nifty lathe and Cousin Clara punches a mean tram ticket. More power to them, and this article is by no means an attempt to belittle or decry their praiseworthy efforts. It would be foolish even to consider such a thing. <

, But in after years, when the hurly-burly of war and its attendant unnatural way of life is over, returning soldiers especially will want to see their womenfolk in the incomparable setting of a home and fireside. The sight, for instance, of a woman jockeying her taxi and touting for fares is not an elevating one and only t » be borne as one of the horrors of war.

Another thing, any attempt to introduce equal labour and equal pay'would mean a definite slowing up of production. Why ? Because the average jNew Zealander’s « innate sense of chivalry » would compel him to desist periodically from his own labours so that he may lighten those of his fair workmate. Nearly five years of war may have worn that chivalry a little thread-bare, what with the vast and bewildering variety of determined and uniformed females who swarm the military ken these days. . But let what little remains of chivalry be preserved at all costs. Equal pay would destroy it utterly. While it is urged that the pleasant fiction of woman's dependence on man should be continued for the good of the race, it would ill serve an ambitious

Kiwi returning to k NZ with mental pictures of Eastern domestic scenes, endeavouring to establish similar quaint customs at home. The shrill cries of alarm and indignation would be distressing to hear and the suggestion that the « little woman » should carry her own darned parcels and do her own bush carpentering might have repercussions. Yet they demand equal pay ! But to sum up the situation. Eouality in all things — and that refers particularly to pay — will undoubtedly tend to increase the hideous tribe of « career women.* Home life, the very foundation of the social fabric, wduld gradually disappear. Woman would lose her outward femininity, for if she was assured of a comfortable livelihood on her own account she would no longer bother to set herself out as attractively as possible in the hope of acquiring a high-grade, . permanent « mealticket.* And that prospect is too awful to contemplate. They would become more « mannish » in their mode of living and would invade every domain that man has always considered his own. Man would have the degrading experience of being compelled to compete in the open market vzith some « wench » who, in happier days, mignt have served a more useful purpose than taking the - bread from honest men’s mouths. No, gentlemen; such things cannot — must not, be. See to it.

Already widely discussed, and looming large on the list of post-war problems, is the question of equal pay for both sexes. The provocative contribution by « Salamander » is published without prejudice as representing but one shade- of soldier opinion. The article does not necessarily represent the views of, « CUE.» Other articles on this subject will be published in later issues. Ed.