MEN "HOUSEMAIDS."

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 7 March 1919, Page 4

MEN "HOUSEMAIDS."

GIRLS NOT OFFERING. ''Do men ever apply here for domestic work?" Avas the question, diffidcntly tendered by a lady at the counter of the Government Labour Department, Christehureh. Tavo officials of the Department smiled broadly at one another, and the lady joined in the smile. She was informed that men had been known to apply for the class of work she Avas offering, namely, housemaid's Avork. Inquiry, hOAvever, showed that she had no preference for men "housemaids," but she had just drawn a blank for the real thing in the Avomen's branch. A reporter's inquiry from the lady officials drow the reply that it Avas difficult to get housemaids at any time,-but almost impossible to get them to go into the country. "Although the country would be better for them," said one lady, "for they could save money there." The suggestion was made by one lady that the girls at present filling the offices in the city might turn .their attention to domestic work, and make vacancies for the returning soldiers. It was stated that there were few women or girls seeking domestic employment at all, ono reason being that the boys were coming back, and the girls did not want to be otherAviso engaged on their arrival. It was the same old story, however, of a colonial repugnaneo to domestic ser-A-ice, and the officials of the Department could not suggest a remedy.