WOMEN'S LAND SERVICE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 October 1943, Page 2

WOMEN'S LAND SERVICE

CAMPAIGN FOR RECRUITS GOOD CONDITIONS. DOMINION-WIDE APPEAL. Recruits are wanted for the Women's Land Service. A five weeks’ campaign, which opened today, is being conducted throughout New Zealand with a view to enrolling recruits. To date, the Masterton office of the Women's War 1 Service Auxiliary has placed 47 land girls in the Wairarapa. Women 17 years of age and over are eligible but those under 21 years must obtain the consent of their parents or guardian. They will be employed on sheep, dairy or general farms. Placement’is generally made subject to-the presence on the farm of at least one physically fit man. Women in the service are not required to do heavy work or anything beyond their physical strength and capacity. The wages for the first six months for inexperienced persons are £2 Is per week on a daily farm and £1 16s per week on a sheep or general farm, and thereafter or if experienced on joining the service, £2 8s 6d and £2 3s 6d respectively. Board ■and lodgings must be provided by the employer or in lieu thereof, a cash allowance is payable at the rate of £1 per week. The employer receives a subsidy for six months in respect to inexperienced workers. Proper accommodation has to be provided and workers are not required to share a room with any member of the employer’s family nor are they required to do any domestic work except those in connection with their own quarters, clothing, etc.

A smart dress uniform and working equipment for all weathers are provided, with an upkeep allowance of 4s per week. Besides free transport to and from employment, each member of the service receives three free return fares each year to visit her home and in addition, receives cash concession fares on the same basis as service men on rail and railway-road transport at all times. They have the same rights and privileges in the clubs run by the Patriotic Councils as service men and service women. The local W.W.S.A. is entrusted with their, welfare.