BAD CONDITIONS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 21, 5 November 1943, Page 2

BAD CONDITIONS

EMPLOYMENT OF LAND GIRLS FARMERS CRITICISK restrictions Criticism of the restriction preventing land Mirls from, assisting farmers' avivcs in the house, and ol the type of publicity at present being given to the work done by land girls, Avas made by the president (Mr J.. Ivingan) of the North Otago branch of the Farmers' Union at the last monthly meeting of. the executive. Mr Kingan read extracts from an interview published in an illustrated paper,, in which it Avas; that a .girl avlio had previously been employed in the Reserve Hank was noAV killing sheep. "As- the father of daughters, I strongly resent this type of publicity," said: Mr Kingan, adding that while farmers could not ask land girls to assist in the house) they could kill sihcep. "lit 1 is a rotten state of affairs when Ave have publicity of this nature," said Mr Kingan. "It shows that the principle behind: the employment of land girls is altogether wrong. A farmer can order a land girl to do almost anything outside, while lie himself might liaA-e to remain inside to help prepare the meals. While a great deal of use can be made, of land girls, I do think that farmers' wives should have 1 assistance first." (Applause). After the conditions of service governing the employment of land girls had been read to the meeting, Mr A. C. Hurst moved that a remit should be sent to the Dominion executive of the. Farmers' Union asking that representations sihould be made to enable; land girls to be employed in the: house for two or three hours daily to assist Avith domestic The motion was seconded in several places. Mr J. Nichols expressed the \ r icAV that the hours for domestic duties, should be left open. "If the farming community is not fit. to be. entrusted Avith land girls', then it shouldn't them," lie said. Subsequently Mr Nichols moved an amendment along these lines. Mr Hurst explained that, lie* had proposed a definite, time because it should not be thought that the girls were to be employed for domestic duties only. Mr Nichols: There should be nothing to stop land girls from undertaking domestic duties. The restriction is nothing more or less than a s'.lur on the farming community. On being put to the meeting, the amendment. Avas carried by a substantial majority. . St Avas also decided to recommend that all capable land girls should rcceh'e working clothes.