PAY OF WOMEN IN THE FORCES

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 283, 28 August 1942, Page 3

PAY OF WOMEN IN THE FORCES

Reply To Mayor’s Statement

An official denial was given yesterday to a statement that most of the women in the armed forces "were paid only 30/a week, out of which they had to pay their board,” which was reported to have been made by the mayor of Wellington, Mr. Hislop, at a meeting of the Pi'oyiucial Patriotic Council. “The minimum rates of pay for women enlisted in the armed, forces are 4/6 a day for unqualified women and 5/- a- day for qualified women,” says the official reply. “The great majority of women who enlist are qualified aud are paid immediately on enlistment nt the rate of 5/- a day. Few remain on the unqualified rate of pay- for more than a very brief period. For practical purposes the minimum rate of pay may therefore be regarded as 5/- a day, or £l/15/- a week. "Women living out of camp and tor whom rations and quarters arc not provided, whether they are in receipt of the qualified or unqualified rate of pay, are entitled to an additional sustenance allowance of 17/6 a week, thus a woman on tlie unqualified rate living out of camp receives a total of £2/9/- a week, and in the same circumstances a woman on the qualified rate receives' a total of £2/12/6 a week. These amounts are exempt from national security, social security and income taxation. '“The mayor referred to the tact that the womefi were provided with uniforms, This is correct, but. it should be understood that the clothing issue is on a generous scale and includes, in addition to the uniform, a rain coat, top coat, shoes, stockings, gloves and blouses, and workuniforms for women engaged, m certain types of work. In tact, they issued with all necessary clothing with the exception of under-clothing. Articles worn out or unfit for further use are replaced free of charge. _ .“In comparison with women in civil occupations, whose pay is subject to taxation and who have to purchase their own clothing, women in the armed forces are favourably situated.”