DOMESTIC HELP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 April 1938, Page 5

DOMESTIC HELP

BIG PROBLEM IN BRITAIN LABOUR SAVING DEVICES Many important organisations, such as the National Council of Women, the Y.W.C.A., and the National Council of Girls’ Club's, are supporting the Domestic Services Exhibition in both the Royal Horticultural Halls, Westminster. The organisers’ idea is to focus public attention on the domestic service problem and so go some way towards soloing it.

A variety of labour-saving devices are being shown at the exhibition. The Electrical Association for Women has a large stand where it will demonstrate the proper use of electrical equipment, and a well-known employment agency has another with an alluring streamer, “'Situations Vacant.” A model day and night nursery is shown. The Girl’s Life Brigade has an attractive stand.

The Health and Cleanliness Council displays striking posters, and the Trades Union Congress has an information bureau. But more important than the exhibits are the conferences on many subjects—including first aid and air-raid precautions and a debate between a factory and a domestic worker oh the advantages and disadvantages of domestic service. There are many amusing competitions, but butlers and footmen alone are to enter for the one on taking a telephone message.

PROPOSED SERVICE CONTRACT The Exhibition aims at putting domestic service on a. definite footing and at encouraging more girls to take up domestic service. It is an Exhibition which should interest equally mistresses and maids. Many associtions and groups are, represented on the council of the exhibition, and among the suggestions put forward is a proposed service contract between mistresses and maids. The contract provides for: — Two hours of free time for the maid each day, in addition to two hours for meals.

Not less than eight hours for sleep. A bedroom adequately furnished, with separate bed and wardrobe.

Two half-holidays weekly. Bathing facilities, and Fourteen day’s holiday with board, wage after 12 months’ services.

The mistress would also undertake to provide labour-saving devices in her houses as far as possible. Another proposal is that girls should be trained for six months, receiving a wage .of 12s a week during that period, after which they would emerge, if proficient,' as Chartered Helps, working regular “shifts” a day at set wages. A proposed uniform for them, dark green with a cream apron on which is embroidered the initials is shown on one of the stands. All the varied interests of a house are catered for in the exhibition which shows the latest examples in equipment. Cookery and other ‘demonstrations are also being given.

There will be talks each day, including discussions between mistresses and maids on the proposed contract, and a debate between a factory worker and a domestic servant.