THE PULSE OF LABOUR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 223, 14 June 1919, Page 12

THE PULSE OF LABOUR

GENERAL EASEMENT

PROBLEM OF THE GIRL CLERK

: Shortage of labour in trades, warehouses, factories, .and offices has been a pretty general and continuous complaint in Wellington during v the last three years, but a change lias come over the scene this year. Owing to the extremely satisfactory manner in which our men-in-anns have been repatriated—more than satisfactory when the many grave difficulties experienced at Home are appreciated—the labour market is far easier all roujud, and by the end of the year it is thought that it will be quite normal again. A Dominion reporter, who made some inquiries- to ascertain how the labour market was faring, learned that there was-a considerable easement all round as far as tradesmen were concerned. Bricklayers were still in short supply, tout there was less difficulty in securing plumbers, carpenters, joiners, and engineers than there was six months ago. Not that the men were rushing work on their return—as a rule they liked to lie off for a. little after their return and discharge, to become "reaccliuiatised" to their native country. Sooner or later they drift back to their old shops and factories, and in most cases take up their tbols where they dropped them when the war call came. Hecently it was stated that the General Post Ojßce aiid other chief and branch offices were getting rid of their temporary girl clerks and sorters. That is so", but it does not end at tho 'Postal Department. That Department has had (so our reporter was informed) to find places for 700 of their returned men during tho last six months, 60 the temporary girl has had to go. And she is going from the banks, insur. ance offices, and other offices, as the men return to their positions. At present there is not the slightest difficulty in getting girl clerks, and within the next few months—when returned men on leave or convalescent got back into harness and the rest of tho men return from England and Palesline-the girl clerk will present a problem for a time, for office work to a young girl (hitherto living a wholly homo life) is aS unsettling as war experience abroad often is to the mere male. In somo offices and departments girl clerks are not considered wholly a success. They do not, it .s said, seom to, have the power ■'to concentrate steadily on their work during ciffico hours. In most offices girls commence at 8.30 a.m. or 0 a.m., and leave at 4.30 p.m. or 5 p.m., a ecu-ii-hourir day. But. that time, iu the case of girls, is whittled down by at least another hour—twenty minutes or so. for morning tea, another twenty minutes for afternou, , ) tea, and another twenl|y. minutes, .euy, for general feminine laxity. .That brought the day's work down to six .hours._ Then when females were employ, cd a firm was put to a good deal of expense one way and another that would not be incurred were the staff whuliv male. Again, the same discipline could not bo secured, as a general rule, among girls as. .with men. Girls "with prospects were not',settled on makiii" themselves more efficient daily as were tho majority of young men who,wished to get on; they regarded their job ae a temporary, expedient en. route-to matrimony, and. were therefore niore independent .inspecting their \york, and' loss amenable to and exact direction. ■ "Probably," said mYi employer of a mixed staff, "every employer who watched out could give examples of the unsettling influence of females on male members of the staff, and some won't have them (females) at all on that account. You want to keep them- away from thfi mon,..<md under a forewoman with a firm upper lip to get the full measuro of work from all (sections, of your staff."

hvcryono in business could quote exceptions to tlio above, but they only prove itlio rule. There are many young" ladies vhti'linve made'" themselves absolutely indispensable in otßces—they live alert, intelligent, quick, and trustworthy, do not shirk their work, jind are free 'from, the luniiy little feminine weaknesses inimical to , efficient clerical work-bat these are rare.