"GIRLS WHO WONT WORK."

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1916, Page 6

"GIRLS WHO WONT WORK."

MAXY LIVING OX SOLDIERS PAY. One interested in a very big way in Wellington with a business in which a good deal of girl labor 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 labor and girls in general, that created no little surprise. "There's no fault to be found with business—it's very good, though sic 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 that so many of our men have gone away," ventured the reporter. "I'm afraid that's not the ease. It's becoming increasingly difficult to get them. Many of them simply won't work. They are living on the pay soldiers leave then'i." What—single girls? "Yes, any number of them. They become engaged to a soldier, and he leaves them half or more of his pay as an 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 and 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 anv of the picture shows and theatres. This must be apparent to anyone who visits these places regularly. I can never remember such frivolity and pleasuring among the girls—without » thought for much elsa.''