The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-05-25 00:00:00

THE DUNDEE DOMESTIC SERVANTS.
On Friday evening in last week, the domestic ser-
vants of Dundee met in the Thistle Hall, Dundee, when
there was a good attendance.

The girl who presided at the previous meeting was
called to the chair, and the secretaress read the rules,
which were adopted after discussion, in which the sub-
ject e introduced were as diverge as the statements
made. Monthly engagements were strongly advocated,
the payments to be quarterly, and it was argued that
the servants were not likely to desecrate the Lord's-day
if they got a free Sabbath every fortnight. Servants
it was contended, ought to be at liberty to wear what
they chose, " so long as they," the treasuress sarcastic-
ally observed," did not make themselves so odious as
their mistresses." "The flag," was stigmatized 8, the
"badge of servitude." One speaker declared that
servants must have their liberty, and she demanded to
know who were willing to wear the flag. The chair-
woman and two other speakers expressed their par-
tiality for "the flag," amid hooting and laughter. The
meeting agreed that if the flag was insisted upon it
should be paid for by the mistresses. The treaeuress
said that when the association was in full working
order one part of its business would be to make a
thorough investigation into the characters of mistresses.
The subject of Sunday cooking gave rise to an ani-
mated discussion, a servant declaring that in one place
where she had been it was the practice to have a
regular guzzle on Sundays, when the whole affairs of
the week were discussed. On one occasion there was a
supper
.party on a Sunday, and the minister was sip-
ping his toddy while she was cleaning the crystal
early on Monday morning. The manner in which
mistresses tried to injure the characters of servants was
referred to, and a speaker stated that a minister's wife
had told her that all the good servants had gone to
America or were dead. She thought the game might
be affirmed regarding mistresses. The justice of some
remarks made was questioned, and the chairwoman
declared that so long as they lived they would have to
serve.
A chairwoman, tres.snress, secretareas, and 12 of the
counuittee were elected to carry on the business of the
association, and it was stated that 200 servants were
etuiy to join. Temporary premises have been secured
for the association.
The following were the rules submitted to the meet-
ing :
"Thai tide association shall be called the Dundee and Diu.
trict Domestic Servants Association.

" That the object of the 8690d:ilia!' shall be to improve
the condition ttf the domestic servants, by rendering their
work less burdensome and their wages more liberal than at
present. That, in the trot instance, servants shall have a
weekly half-holyday, commencing at 4 o'clock, aud a free
Sabbath every fortnight; but, while insisting on these con-
cessions, it is not to be understood that necessary operations
in the house which cannot reasonably be lett undone shall
not be performed. That, while it is impossible to arbitrarily
settle the working hours of servants, it is felt to be per-
fectly compatible with all demands that may be wade upon
them that they ehuuld have at their absolute disposal three
hours daily.
- • • • • •

"That engagements shall in future be made for a period
lot exceeding one month, an at rangement which has become
imperative in consequence of the annoyance winch mistresses
as well as servants at present experience front the long to-
tem! which elopers between the time when servants are
compelled to intimate their decision and the date of the ex-
piry of the engagement.
That fair and full latitude shall be accorded to servants
RS to the style of the apparel which they may think it not
improper for them to wear.
"That, In order the more successfully to secure the
general recognition of the changes indicated above, each
member of the association shall annually subscribe one
shilling ton fund which will be devoted to the payment of
salaries to the treasurer and secretary for the time being,
who will lie relieved of service, and thus lie able to devote
their whole time and attention to the interests of the
servants.

"That it shall devolve on those officials to keep a registry
at an office which will be eitablished, and that engagements
shall in I dare be made through this agency, instead of
through the registries now in existence."