WOMEN’S DIVISION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 November 1938, Page 7

WOMEN’S DIVISION

4 WAIRARAPA PROVINCIAL COUNCIL SUBSIDIES ON HOUSEKEEPING SCHEME. POSITION OF THE EMPLOYER. The housekeeping scheme of the Women's Division of the Farmers’ Union was the subject of considerable discussion at a meeting of the Wairarapa Provincial Council of the Division held this morning in the Rest Rooms, Masterton. The president, Mrs Dagg, occupied the chair. Reporting on the past three months activities, Mrs C. C. Jackson (secretary) stated that there had been 32 engagements of housekeepers and if it had been possible to supply more help there probably would have been as many more engagements. The work of the housekeepers had been particularly hard and difficult this winter and spring but employers had expressed their appreciation and gratitude for the help the housekeepers had given. “The domestic problem,” said Mrs Jackson, “is daily becoming increasingly difficult. It is not due altogether to financial reasons but, I feel, to so many pleasanter occupations offering, shorter hours and social life of towns and cities and still less love of the country. For those who live in the country it will be necessary to have more appliances for saving labour and to form service groups amongst themselves in cases of sickness and stress of work. In the South Island, where the domestic problem has not hitherto been a problem and now is, these groups have been formed with great success. Neighbours sparing a few hours or perhaps a day or two to care for a sick mother and to look after children and house is better than nothing. This can be worked when families are fairly close together but what of the far-away woman who is sick? A way must be found to give relief here.” QUESTION OF SUBSIDIES. Mrs Jackson went on to state that the Masterton branch, at its last meeting, had passed a resolution to the effect “that application forms should be filled in with the full amount of the housekeeper’s salary and only if the most searching inquiries justify it should any subsidy be authorised.” At the last meeting of the council the question of subsidy was fully discussed and it was stressed that a strict investigation should be made by advisory members before a subsidy should be allowed. It had been felt by members for a long time, now that wages and salaries were so much better, that there should not be the need to subsidise housekeeper’s salaries. It seemed to have become a general belief that the Women's Division paid part of the salary but it must be understood, said Mrs Jackson, that the Division was not a charitable organisation and the money it raised by voluntary subscriptions was only to help in very exceptional cases. In the case of farm workers not paying the full amount it was difficult to believe that they could not, as the law compelled the payment of a good wage and the owner of the land should pay the difference. The Division helped owners to keep theii employees on the farm by sending help when they were in distress. It had come under her notice, said Mrs Jackson, that four large estates which each had had a housekeeper for employees respectively paid 7s 6d, 15s, 10s and £1 per week. That had meant that members of the Division had voluntarily raised money from their own pockets to pay for them. Should they pay for those who were well able to pay for the help given to their employers, she asked, none of whom were members. Should non-members participate in these benefits? A suggestion had been made that those who had not become members and wished to benefit by help given should pay four years' subscrip tion. Mrs T. R. Barren emphatically opposed placing any obligation on to employers, maintaining that employee: should" meet the position, except in very exceptional circumstances. It was decided to leave the matter to the discretion of the advisory committee. FLOCK HOUSE REST HOME. ■ There was doubt in some minds, sail Mrs Jackson, whether the Flock House Rest Home and Training School foi Girls, under the present Governmen Security Bill, would be necessary as : rest home. It was now an establishec fact, she said, that it would be of the greatest benefit to country women ant the Board of Management reported great progress already. Two trainee: had already applied for domestic training and the home would be opened a the end of January with a large garder party.