BRITISH WOMEN WAR WORKERS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1920, Page 1

BRITISH WOMEN WAR WORKERS

OVERSEA SETTLEMENT SCHEME.

PROSPECTS IN NEW ZEALAND

AUCKLAND, January o. The possibility of employment in New Zealand for British women war workers were discussed by Misses F. M. Girdlcr and G. Wafckin, of the British Oversea Settlement Mission, who have returned to Auckland after a comprehensive tour of the North Island. Although the ladies have not completed their enquiries, they have learned sufficient to be able to express a definite opinion as to where women workers are most urgently wanted-—in domestic service and in industrial life. “We shall tell the women of England that there is very little chance for them in New Zealand in clerical work, hut splendid opportunities as domestic helpers and industrial workers,” said Miss Girdlcr. The great need of domestic help for farmers’ wives impressed itself strongly upon the visitors in the course of their tour in the country districts “These women l lead a hard life,” said Miss. Girdlcr, “and it- seems almost impossible for them to obtain help under present conditions; I think many English women l would-be much more willing to go into' those districts than your New Zealand girls seem to he, hut the same effort will have to'be made here that is being made in every other country faced with the domestic problems. The status of the domestic worker will have- to bo raised l to- that of other occupations and definite working condition formulated. Speaking of the splendid work of the English land' army- girls j- the delegatesexpressed the opinion that there was plenty of scope for them in the same direction in New Zealand: They did not for a; moment propose that the girls should go into the backblocks and do clearing and similar work, but there certainly appeared to be opportunities for them i to continue their farm work in the direction of share milking, bee keeping, orohardry and poultry rearing. With regard to industrial work-, it was very apparent that the Dominion could readily absorb a large number of girls for its mills and factories. “Our investigations have gone to prove that there are unquestionably good opportunities in this country for English women,” said Mis Watkins. “But An other factor, equally apparent, would prevent our- sending a large number of them out here, and that is the housing difficulty.” The remedy suggested for this was the establishment of women’s hostels under a system which had : long been in- operation in-Canada and other countries, and which- had been found admirable. Such houses might be started by private enterprise, by public subscription ,or by social or philanthropic associations, with-the possible assistance of a Government or municipal" subsidy. In summing up their impressions of working conditions in New Zealand one of the delegates said: “They are sufficiently good to attract, our best workers. Compared with conditions that still obtain in the same direction in England, they are ideal, and I wish that some of your New Zealand girls who are discontcnded and think themselves hardly done bv, could only have a glimpse of the life- of some of the women workers of England.”