WAIKATO GIRLS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 170, 21 July 1942, Page 2

WAIKATO GIRLS

22 TO 25 AGE GROUP

EFFECT ON BUSINESS

(0.C.) HAMILTON, Monday. At a meeting of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce to-day, members referred to the dislocation that would be caused by the calling up of women in the age group specified. The following resolution was carried:—"That the chamber, having given due consideration to the war situation, appreciates the for the recent order calling on women of from 22 to 25 years resident in Hamilton and Cambridge to register for national service, expresses its complete confidence in the local manpower officer to apply the order in such a way that the minimum of hardship is caused to the business community in these towns: that the position in Hamilton and Cambridge be brought to the notice of the Associated Chambers with a view to having additional accommodation for outside workers provided in Hamilton." The manpower officer, Mr. L. McKinnon, pmnted out that registration was required to be made within seven days of the issue of the order, and that the period expired on Wednesday. He added that the extension of the age gave him a much wider field of labour from which to draw and enabled him to call on fewer girls in key positions than he would have to if the 20-21 year age group was adhered to.

Several applications made by employees in essential industries for permission to transfer to other work were dismissed. When an employer asked for the retention of a male clerk who was required for clerical work in the army, the chairman, Mr. J. Liddell, said the business could be carried on by working overtime. The employer replied: "I find overtime does not pay. It only means slack brains and poorer work." The appeal was dismissed.