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Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 122, 26 May 1942, Page 6

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WOMEN CONDUCTORS

SPECIAL TRAMWAY TRAINING

Women tram conductors will make their official bow to the Auckland public next week, provided their uniforms are ready. Clothing manufacturers are having a strenuous time with army contracts, and the shortage of manpower has retarded progress to some extent. However, an endeavour is being made to get the Transport Board's order completed, and there is a prospect of prompt delivery. The chairman of the board, Mr. J. Sayegh, said to-day that the women conductors selected had practically completed their training. They had been properlv coached and had shown adaptability and smartness. Between 40 and 45 had been appointed, the majority being the wives of employees of the board who were in the Armed Forces. The exceptions were women, mostly relatives of tramway men, chosen because they had special knowledge or experience in transport undertakings. Asked whether the women would have any special privileges, such as not being asked to work late shifts involving them in long walks to their home after the last tram had run, Mr Sayegh said that the women conductors were being employed at the same wages as were paid to men and the same conditions would apply to all. If special privileges were granted to the women they would have to be extended to the men also. '•There can be no special privileges; that is all that can be said," he added. When the peace was discussed Mr. Sayegh said that the Transport Board in common with other employers was bound to re-employ the men who had joined the forces. "They must get their jobs back," he said. "There will be scores of other men returning from the war and naturally the board will have to give preference of employment to them if they are suitable for the service. The men who have gone away to fight must be our first consideration when they return."