LIVING ON THE SOLDIERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1517, 2 March 1916, Page 4

LIVING ON THE SOLDIERS.

SINGLE GIRLS’ HARVEST.

One interested in a very big way in Wellington with a business in which a good deal of girl labour is employed, was being questioned in quite an ordinary way as to how business was, when expression was given to certain facts in connection with girl labour and girls in general, that created no little surprise.

‘‘There’s no fault to be found with business, it’s very good, though the war is on. One of our greatest difficulties and worries is to get the girls we require.” “I should have thought the girls were turning to now so many of our men have gone away,” ventured the reporter.

“I’m afraid that’s not the case. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to get them. Many of them simply will not work. They’re living on the pay soldiers leave them.” “What, single girls !” exclaimed the reporter. “Yes, any number of them. They become engaged to a soldier and he leaves them half or more of his pay as &n evidence of good faith, and they live on it, instead of going to work. I know one girl who makes no secret that she engaged herself to three men in different reinforcements, and is receiving part pay from each one.” “And what is the result?”

“One result is that we are getting applications from middle-aged sfnd older women suffering through their sons having gone away. These are the women who should be getting the money the boys are leaving the girls. It’s a great time for the girls; they’ve never known such a time before. I very much doubt if any of my girls miss a change of programme in any of the picture shows and theatres. This must be apparent to anyone who visits the places regularly. 1 can never remember such frivolity and pleasuring among the girls without a thought for much else.”