WOMEN IMMIGRANTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1696, 12 March 1913, Page 5

WOMEN IMMIGRANTS.

HARRIET C. KBWCOMB. Hon. Secretary, Australian ami New Zealand Women'Votere' Association (Iondon). . r N.Z., March 11

THE SYSTEM FOLLOWED ELSEWHERE. Sir,—ln the profoundly interesting and important account given in your issue of to-dsiy of the Empire Trade Commission inquiry to immigrant women, Sir'.Edgar Vincent remarks to Miss Bremner: ""iou seem very hopeless about the whole thing/' and Miss Bremncr replies, "Very hopeless." Can it bo possible-that neither of these authorities knows of th? arrangements made by tho Victorian, South Australian, and .West Australian Governments? In each of these eases competent women aro found in tho London offices, who are able personally to investigate the character of the young' women applicants for Government aid; Those young women who successfully 'pass examination arc gathered iii a hostel in London or Liverpool on -tho eve of embarkation. Here a trained matron meets them,-and -next day takes the party 011 board ship. There is one matron to every 25 or 30 girls. On board the matron organises the'girls'time and-em-ployments. Drill is often given, and sewing machines and material taken so tliajj the young people may make their outfits if they wish 011 board. At intervening ports' call tho matrons organise visits on shore, which afford a welcome relief to the routine of ship-board life. On arrival at the port of destination the woman officer of the Emigration' Department comes on board and welcomes tlie girls to 1 their new homo. The next day all are placed with mistresses, each of whom is •personally known'to the Government officials. I myself came out two months ago 011'a'liner which carried a party of U2 girls, many of them "well qualified servants,'who were being conducted to/Melbourne "under three matrons. So ably did these wise women xierform their difficult duties 011 board that I can say from my own personal observation that everyone of the emigrant girls was-a better, wiser, and* liappier 'person when she left the ship /than when she came, on board. So far from ."Government girls" being a title ot renroacli, it was considered an honour and a safeguard to wear the Government badge,\and not a fe'w other'girls who were going out; at their own charges voluntarily joined the Government party. I had the privilege of being air onlooker 111 the office in Melbourne when these young people were introduced to, and went oft with, their new employers. On the faeo girl was a bright look/of hope .and interested curiosity regarding the new life before her. The orlv touch of sadness was the /parting with their good mahvon-mothers who had brought them to theiiv new homo. —I -am, etc.,