UNEMPLOYED WOMEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 780, 28 September 1929, Page 12

UNEMPLOYED WOMEN

SCHEME FOR EXTENSION OF DOMESTIC TRAINING MRS. M. B. SOUAK’S PLAN There has been much discussion lately on the topic of unemployment among women. A deputation, led by j Mrs. M. B. Soljak recently waited ; upon the Minister of Public Works in Auckland to place the position before | him. Mrs. Soljak has formulated a scheme which has met with the approval of many who are interested in the prob--1 lera of unemployed women. It was sent ■ as a remit from the Auckland Women’s Branch of the Labour Party to the 1 Labour Conference, where it was fav- ! curably considered. This scheme Mrs. Soljak has submitted to The Sun for publication. It reads as follows: 1. Extension of training: in domestic science at technical schools, such training to embrace home nursing and care of children. 2. Establishment of Government hostels for accommodation of workers who would be drawn from schools and the ranks of ordinary domestics as well as including all women and girls —Maori and European—who choose this work as a means of livelihood. Such hostels to contain facilities for training as above, as well as recreation clubs, libraries, etc. 3. Trained workers from schools and hostels to go as required where help is needed. Terms of engagement | to bo arranged hourly, daily or weekly. ’ Sleeping accommodation to be proI vided by employer if necessary, but it j would be preferable that workers sleep j at home or at hostels, thus doing away 'i with chief objections to domestic service under present conditions —lack of congenial companionship, constant liability to interference by employer with hours of leisure, and indefinite understanding as to the hour of ceasing work. In case of younger workers inspection of employer’s home and personal character, and supervision of conditions of work would be desirable, especially wher r girls were sent to work in the countr 4. Pay men_ .o be made by employer if means permit, but service to be free to those who cannot afford to pay. It is expected that many will be prepared to pay part of the wages. The upkeep of hostels, cost of whole or part of wages to be-met by subsidies from Government. All workers accommodated at hostels to contribute part of their wages as board on lowest scale commensurate with cost. It is pointed out here that though a small managing staff would be required at each hostel, the actual work could be done by domestic workers awaiting calls to employment. I This scheme would have the eiTect of: (a). Providing congenial employment for a large number of women and girls. <b> Raising the status of domestic service. ! (c). Giving so.und training to young i girls which will prove beneficial when they become wives and mothers. (d) Providing busy mothers, fathers in charge of children during mother's absence, sick and old people with domestic help at a minimum cost, as well as making available help for others in better circumstances who requite temporary assistance in the care of children. (e) Dispensing with the need of accommodation for worker in employer's home. (f) Materially affecting the question of maternity and infant mortality, as giving mothers the requisite help before and after confinement, freedom from worry about home while lying in at hospitals and providing efficient care for infants during first weeks of life.