PRACTICAL REMEDY

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 33, 3 November 1942, Page 2

PRACTICAL REMEDY

Result Of Moral Standards Investigation The seriousness and scope of the task confronting a sjieeiiil investigation committee. recently set up in Wellington to inquire into the moral standards prevalent among working girls, and the need for foeusing the searchlight of publicouiiiioii on existing conditions, were explained by Sister V. Duwes at a meeting of the Women's Social I’rogress Move, ment. in Wellington yesterday afternoon. .Moral standards were symptbms, and it. was in order to gel a little furtlier into the causes, and contribute a practical remedy, that the committee had been sei up, said Sister Dawes, an experienced social worker, who has been engaged in compiling a survey for this purpose, for the past six mon tits. The outcome of the investigations has resulted in the founding of tl residential club which will eater for the industrial business girl. “We are complacently inclined to say (hat conditions are good, and wages are high, without taking into account the effect that other economic factors, such ns crowded living quarters, inadequate meals, consisting of cups of tea. pies, or fish and chips, and lack of recreational outlets, have upon the lives of these girls.” dechired the speaker, adding that there were 20.000 women and girls employed In industry in 'Wellington and the' Hutt Valley. Sister Dawes outlined the findings of the investigation committee and gave a

brief summary of the principles which will govern the future club. The scheme itself is more in the nature of a co-opera-tive effort between the girls and -the associated committee, to provide good accommodation with ample recreation facilities, run on modern lines. The girls, working with the officials, will make and enforce the rules, and will live in groups of their own choosing, with a sitting-room to each group, for the entertainment of their friends, each group having representation on a central committee.

This, she said, would be the first experiment of its hind in Xew Zealand. An anonymous'gift of £5O started the scheme, and though further financial backing by a number of employers hail been promised, the support of hundreds of associate members to take nu active interest, has still to lie enlisted. Miss 16. Watson presided at (ho meeting, and a vote of thunks on behalf of Ihe members was proposed by Mrs. Strong. Mrs. Herron thanked (lie visiting guest artists, Mrs. Joye Taylor and Mrs. E. Ballinger, wild sang and played a bracket of original song compositions written l>y Mrs. Taylor.