THE SERVANT PROBLEM.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 253, 23 February 1917, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE SERVANT PROBLEM.

.MODERN" MISTRESS BLAMED. SOME INSIDE IXFORMATION. One Who Likes Fair Play writes:— "May I find space in your paper to ventilate some of the trials that beset these whoso circumstances call them into tho position of lady helps, or, better still, generals? For some time, through force of circumstances, I have been compelled to take up tho position, and have had many trials, in to endure.

" Some time back there was an article in ono of tho papers about girls who wont after places, had their fares paid, and then did not turn up. But the girl s are only the product of the mistresses of tho present day. "There is a certain class of girl who (good tuck to her!) has become hardened by her circumstances, and gives tit-for-tat now.

"These are some of the tricks I have been .served. Some timo back a certain lady, who does a good deal of church work, engaged me to come to her. She previously a.sked mo how much I would take, and I said not less than 15s. per week. Just as I was ready to depart from heme to take up my work with her, a telegram came to say she had engnged someone else, with no letter to folio .V i ;• payment of the week due for loss of time.

'• Last Thursday I visited a house, and tlio daughter engaged me, telling me that her mother was in town. The mother, meanwhile, engaged someone iu-town, so that when I arrived, with all my luggage, I was met '.it the door by tlio engaged one.

" Why do ladies advertise for lady helps when they want generals? In some cases, more than that, they aspect them to do some of the sewing.

"How people who are used to things laugh at snobs who do not know. My grandmother and her mother before her kept their servants for years. Why ? 13ocau.se they were what they called themselves —gentlewomen. If necessary I can give the names of people for whom I have worked to prove my honest v. :;