"EXEUNT SLOWLY."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 984, 26 November 1910, Page 8

"EXEUNT SLOWLY."

• « THE PASSING OF THE BARMAID. 1 HOW. SHE REGARDS IT. Arc you registered? The question startled a barmaid, who was dozing over a novel in the quiet hours of yesterday afternoon. "Registered! me! what do you moan ?" Havo you registered under the new Licensing Amendment Act, which provides for the registration of barmaids? "Oh, is that your trouble? I really didn't know much' about it. I've heard some talk about the. business —tell mo about it." Well, you will havo to register before June 1 next, if you wish to remain a barmaid after that. . "Do wo havo to wear a leather collar like a dog?" Oh, no, you havo to register with tho Secretary for Labour —name, age, term of service, etc. "Is that all—it is 'ratty,' isn't . it? To think that wo girls should havo to be labelled. Well—if wo have to, we have to, and that's aIV . about it. Wlmt'sthe date?" First of Juno! ■ "There's plenty, of time yet, ta-ta! Mind the step!" .' ■■ .'■.*. '*..-, •>■•■■ • Are you registered? . • This.time.it ,was a rather, primlooking, business-like- girl, who came forward to take the expected . order, when she was met with the question. A serious girl this, who , took her business seriously, and yet was pleasant and intellectually• lady-like.-"No, not. yet—l did. not know it was- all settled,., that the Bill was through. It. gives us to the first of June to register, doesn't it?" ■ ■ Yes, you will register, I suppose? .. . "Oh, yes—there's no way out of it. I don't like the idea, but if it is the law I suppose we will have to fall in with it. .... . . What else have I to do? Hero I've been six years in tho bar — kept myself and my bar decently. _ Do you think I am going out to service— to scrub, and wash, and sweep, and be trodden on for 15s. a week? Oh, no— I'll register all right. ■ ,"I do hope ono thing—that'in registering the names .they will , show ...some ' discrimination: as to whom they register. 'Wo' know there are some girls in the bar who do not behave themselves as they should—they are all pretty well known, and they should ■be to the Registrar.. It -will not be very nice for girls who look after themselves, and lead decent respectable lives, to be classed,on. a list with some I could mention." ■ . '■ , . ■ . . •-"l'm afraid that they will- find it hard to where to draw the line— .if a lirio'is to be.drawn," said the interviewer. . ■ ."That's the hard part, of • .'it—they should call for some sort of character ,when a girl goes to register." _ Arid- what do you think' of the abolition'of barmaids? "What can one think—if tie public think that barmaids encourage drinking, then we'll have to go, but really a lot of nonsense is talked about that sort of : thing that lias no foundation in fact. Thero may bo exceptions, but men know that as a rule barmaids do not entice- them to drink—it's absurd. Still,. I'm.glad they didn't blot- us out altogether at once—that would have jbeen very . wrong, and a very wicked .thing to do, don't you think?" .Who could but concur?—the girl was so very logical. I-';'*'..■■•.''•■••■'■ ■' ■■"• •■" ' * " ;■'■ * ;Are-you'registered? ' This time- it was a plump brunette,, .with a'lively sense of humour and a twinkle in both eyes, which .bespoke I one who 'regarded lif« as somewhat, of .a joke. ....'. ". ';.■ ■ "Registered—no, certainly not. Why .should I register? I know my business —who will make us register?" . Tho law J '-■-•■■ • ■ ■ ■ "Oh, I don't think they'll go that far —-that would be too-hot." "If..you do not register priori to'tho first of June, you will not be allowed ;to serve behind a "bar," said the inter : viewer. "Is tnat straight?, Well, that beats the band. I'll have to see my lawyer iabout this —it's too ■ strong altogether. I won't register—at least I don't think so. Are the other girls going to do it?" I suppose'so. / : , "Then, I suppose, I'll have to chip in. None , can register after June?". No. • ■ "Then in a year or two those of us who are-left ought to get more money than we do now." . - Yes, that seems a feasible possibility. "Sure! If there are only a few.girls there' will be competition for us— that will be'lovely: " What'do you think?" On inquiry at, the' Labour. Department, .it , was ascertained that so far, there had been no preparations made for the registration of barmaids; and,, as far ascould be ascertained, no registration form had been drawn up. This will - doubtless be attended to forthwith. ' .