WOMEN’S LAND ARMY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 6, 2 October 1943, Page 6

WOMEN’S LAND ARMY

Inducements To Recruits PAY AND ALLOWANCES

AU suitable girls and women 17 years of age and over, no matter of what occupation, are eligible as recruits to the New Zealand Women’s Land Army, the strength of which is reported to be increasing daily. These women have the same rights and privileges as servicemen and servicewomen in the clubs run by the patriotic councils. The local W W S A. is entrusted with the welfare of'the girls and in some districts has arranged clubs, weekly dinners, and so forth Only farmers approved by tneg Primary Production Councils are allowed to employ land girls. The decision as to whether a girl may be released to join the land service is made by the manpower authorities. (nils under 21 years of age must obtain the consent of parent or guardian. Applicants must enrol for the duration, but will be released from the service on application to the Director of National Seivice where he considers the circumstances warrant such action. The girls are employed on (lair/ ami general farms, and are not required to do heavy work or work beyond their physical strength and capacity', lhe wa„es for the first six months of ein l^’"! e “£ if inexperienced, are £-/l/- R °._ dairv and £l/16/- on general taring Thereafter, or if experienced on ioimn„ the service, the rates are £2/8/0 amt £2/3/6 respectively. Board and lodgings must be provided by the employer, or in lieu thereof a cash allowance pt. £1 a week is payable. The employer receives a subsidy of £1 a week tor the three months and 12 /0 a week for the remaining three months in respect ot inexperienced workers. During this period employers are required to provide an employee with the best I ,o ? slb k, Where only one member of the-service is employed on a farm she must be accommodated within the homestead and is not required to share, a room with any member of the employers family. M Jeie there are two or more land girls they may be accommodated in detached quarters, but meals must be supplied in the homestead. Their duties are any of the usual ones on a dairy or general tarni. They are not required to do any domestic work except in connexion with their own quarters, clothing, etc. Insurance is arranged by the employer and at his cost under the Workers Compensation Act. There are paid annual holidays in accordance with the Agricultural Workers Act for dairy farm and the Agricultural Workers' Extension Order for those employed on general farms. The return of the girls to their pre-service jobs is safeguarded by legislation. Land girls arc provided with a smart brown uniform and greatcoat, with green tie and green insignia of the service on the upper sleeves of both uniform and topcoat; a brown beret drawn down on the right hand side like the W.A.A.F. beret carrying the badge of the Land Service. The dress hat is a brown felt hat worn with the crown dented in all round and the hat turned ■up at the left hand side and fastened by a badge. The dress uniform is acknowledged as the smartest of all the services. Working equipment is on a lavish scale and outfits a girl against all weather. An upkeep allowance of 4/- a week is payable to each member to establish a reserve fund from which replacements may be purchased at cost price from the National Service Department. Besides free transport to and from employment, each member of the service receives three free return fares each year to visit her home and in addition receives cash concession fares on the same basis as servicewomen on rail and railway road transport at all times.