CHARMS OF DOMESTIC SERVICE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2098, 5 June 1907, Page 1

CHARMS OF DOMESTIC SERVICE

The recent mission, or crusade, in favor of inducing young girls to prefer domestic service to .shop and oflico work, has found a supporter in Mr. Kelynack, who, (in the Arbitration Court at Sydney last week, pressed mo woman witness closely on tho

loint. The woman in question had

been four years at Mark Foy’s, “in tho boots,” and was only earning 12s Id, with a possible 3s or so in “spiffs” and commission. Why, Dir. Kely-

uaek wanted to know, did she prefer los in a shop, to los, plus food and lodging, and home comforts, in service? The witness, who was educated and lady-like, said she, in the first place, did not know any servants who received los per week, and believed 3s Gd was nearer the mark. In the noxt place, and quite apart from any feeling of class preference, she did not want to place herself at the beck and call of everybody if she coukl make a living without it. She was now able to live with her parents, to help in tho homo liousework, and had her evenings free. Pressed still more closely, she said she considered business girls occupied a better position socially than servants, and Mr. Kelynack said he wanted to have it shown that the better position was really valued so much by girls that it practically formed part of what they worked for. His queries excited tho

iro of several of the opposite sex in court, and one of them, after other muttered comments, shouted lustily to him to go and do domestic work

himself. Later on, the same question was being asked of another witness, when tho President interposed. To enquire why girls did not go to service, he said, was only the same as asking why a briefless barrister did not go and work on the wharves.