The Stratford Evening Post. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1913. THE SERVANT PROBLEM.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 98, 2 May 1913, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. FRIDAY, MAY 2, 1913. THE SERVANT PROBLEM.

It is at least a consolation for us to know that tho “servant problem” is causing trouble in other parts of the world besides New Zealand. At Horne just now it is a. much discussed topic, and Lady Willoughby do Broke, writing to the “National He view” on “'j lie Pros and Cons of Domestic Service,” has some interesting remarks to make on tho suoject. The keynote of her discourse is “humanity,” which, she says, “works wonders, and the lack of it is tho cause of half our servant troubles.” Her advice is that employers take a little more interest in their servants, in their individualities, in their joys and sorrows, in their amusements and in their love affairs. When one hears employers complain that they cannot keep their servants, inquiry not infrequently shows that it is the fault of the employers, for starting with tho assumption that all servants are going to try to “do” them. This is absolutely fatal, because servants very quickly realise and resent such suspicion. As regards tho greater demand among servants for outings and for better conditions of food and lodging, domestic service is very monotonous, especially in tho country and it is in the employers’ interest to keep her servants contented and to ensure good health and consequent capacity for work by a sufficiency of fresh air, wholesome food, and sanitary rooms. One very serious aspect of the servant problem at Homo is the growing dislike on the part of employers to engaging married servants. On tho one hand, there is perhaps the difficulty of providing the necessary accommodation, and it is argued that children running about the place are a nuisance. On the other hand, there is the. immense advantage of having a

servant in whoso interest it is to settle down permanently in a situation. There are very strong reasons why every possible encouragement should ho given to girls, to enter domestic service. Girls who are thoroughly trained are of infinite value from a national standpoint. They learn habits of personal cleanliness and neatness, punctuality, obedience, good manners, and general discipline. They learn various branches of housework and a certain amount of hygiene. It cannot ho denied that such knowledge forms the host possible foundation for the training of good wives and mothers,