WOMAN'S WORLD

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3026, 13 March 1917, Page 3

WOMAN'S WORLD

(Continued from page 2.) FEMALE CIVIL SERVANTS . •'"AIRS AND GRACES" SHOULD NOT • COUNT. A comparatively short time ago (says jtlie "Publio Servico Journal," editori«lly), the association represented" to the Public Servico Commissioner that in respect of' Government employment women should be entitled to equal treatment with men so far as oppor- . iunity, pay, and privileges are concerned. The reply of tho Commissioner \was to the effect that there will not be any discrimination against women by Teason of their sex, also that they are regarded as being on the same footing as men, so far as salary and promotion are concerned. This being so it must be assumed that if women do not advance in tho Public Service so rapidly as men advance there must be some Teason for tho failure other than discrimination on account of sex.

There are a number of women in the Service whoso work compares favourably with that (performed by men in similar positions, and these women will no doubt be given the opportunity, as it occurs, of demonstrating their ability to undertake more' important duties. Such women as these need have Jio fear of sex discrimination. They stand clear of the ruck, and cannot be overlooked or pushed aside. It is not of these admirable examples we wish to discourse, but of the female Publio Servant in the mass and of her official idiosyncrasies. It is most important ifor a female who enters the Publio Service that she shall'neither invite nor cxpect nor accept any attention or consideration by reason of her sex. It lias been observed in too many instances that the female Public Servant claims as a right little privileges which in tho course of time she has secured through' the good-natured tolorance of Iher masculine boss. Tho female Public Servant ,or private servant, for the matter of that, will be on perfectly safe ground if she will select as an cxamplo one of the best of her male fellow-servants, strive to do as much work as he, and to do it as well, neither seeking nor allowing any special concession to her sex. She may then establish a. position for herself of equality with men as regards pay, promotion, and privileges, besides ensuring tho respect of her male rivals as a foeman worthy of their steel. But if she will persist in claiming deference to her femininity and" that attention which she has a right to cxpect as a social unit outside her office then she cannot expect to bo placed on an equality with her male competitor for promotion to more responsible positions in tho servicc. especially-thoso executive positions involving control of malo officers.

Although it may "bo regarded as unfair that wo should anticipate tho re-tort-obvious, this littlo essay would be incomplete if it did not deal with the male officer's share of tho blame. In too many cases he is apt tomake small concessions to tho female members of his staff becauso in his private lifo it is his habit to treat his womenfolk with deference and to 'make the path of life smooth for them. This is quite, a proper attitude", and much to bo admired, but it must be said that in his official relations'with women it would be greatly to their advantage if he were to regard them simply as members of the staff who are cxpected to do their duty just as men occupying similar positions, are' expected : to do theirs. I Thero must, however, always bo tho

difference between the sexes ill at marriage to the woman means freedom from offiical slavery,_ whilst to tho man it means a tightening of his bonds. The prospect of matrimony is certainly a handicap to a woman in the race for promotion, and it is quite likely that there is a disposition to magnify this disability. There are many . women who prefer what is called a "career" to matrimony, as less risky, and to such as these, provided they possess the ability and inclination to ma'ke good, the way should be left open. But they must remember thai the exercise in their official life of those airs and graccs which render them so fascinating to men in private lifo must have the fcffect of prejudicing their chances of promotion to positions of responsibility. Red Cross Acknowledgments. The hon. secretary of the Wellington Women's Red Gross Committee acknowledges having received contributions from the following Mrs. Bridson, Ohakune Ladies' Guild, Ormondville Red Cross Guild, Ohingaiti Red Cross Society, Otano Sub-centre British' Red Cross, Huntervillo Red Cross Society, Waitara and TJrenui Red Cross Sewing Guild, Levin and Districts Patriotio Guild, . Ohakune Junction Ladies' Guild, Waipoikurau and District Red Cross Workers, Napier Branch British Red Cross, Mrs. Yates, Mrs. S. Harcourt. The _ Countess of Liverpool Fund ■Committee has received supplies of cake from Christchurch and games from Auckland and Dunedin for the benefit of tho soldiers. The Wellington branch is also supplying its customary quota of cake. Tho committee is extremely grateful for all the help which was received in the packing of the gift parcels. : j The cases of which the j Mayoress's Countess of Liverpool Fund j are supplying for the use of. soldiers I who are ill when on the transports are ! likely to he much appreciated. These i cases are handed over to the chaplains, one each, and they contain chocolate, milk, sweets, tobacco, tooth brushes, safety pins, scissors, bovril, jam, eto. The Camp Commandant at Trentham acknowledges receipt of the' following gifts to the hospital:—From Soldiers' Comforts Guild, block of cake*, box of eggs, two eases tomatoes, two-tases apples, one caso lemons: from Mesdames Meyers and Pearco, six military hair brushes.