Working Married Women

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20112, 5 December 1939, Page 14

Working Married Women

Sir. —May I once again have a little .space to champion single girls? Firstly, it is obvious that "Working Married Woman" has never heard the saying that "There is no one in the whole wide world who cannot be done without." Being a business woman she will know it is not the practice ol' girls educated for shops and cilice work to apply for a position through any agency. Secondly, the domestic pvdblem was acute even during the depression and to oiler ltis per week for any work with the rising cost of living is little short of an insult and if "Working Married Woman" considers that a fair wage it probably reveals her reason for being a working married woman. Here-arc different instances from those quoted by "Working Married Woman." A local firm was recently in need of an assistant. 1 hehv.vc there were lfi applicants fo.r *».-? position. Another instance is that of a bride of a few months who was offered a job. Unlike "Married Working Woman’s” friend with the small son. she said, "No thank you," She considers there are too many single girls needing work and in addition to this would not insult her husband by suggesting to the world at large that he is unable to support her. As regards girls being a nuisance having to ask where goods are kept, believe me married women are just as much nuisance to regular employees; they also have to ask when they are only casual, and the single ones are at least trying to put their Host foot forward hoping the temporary position may become a permanency.

I am sorry for “Working Married Woman” but I am afraid it' it were put to the vote of the regular employees the married ones would have lo stay at home and the regulars would not mind helping their single sisters by telling them what to do. Shop girls on the whole are a pretty good crowd; unfortunately they cannot speak for themselves or they may also decorate the unemployed list.

FAIR PLAY