The farmer and mechanic., 1915-04-27
WOMEN ARE. EAGER
TO DO WAR WORK

II will be interesting to watch the |
results of the Board of Trades ap-
peal to the women of this country to
fiji the vacancies caused in the ranks |
of labor by the enlistment of such |
huge numbers of men in Kitchener's |
armies. |
The shortage Of labor caused by en-
listment has been growing a more
pressing question ever since December. |
The contraction in the demand for
labor, as a whole, since the outbreak
of the war was, up to October, about
offset in the case Of males, by enlist
ments. By December shortage OF
workers became apparent in cOnSid-
erabIe number of trades. This was due
uurtly TO ordinary Christmas activi-
ties: but returns for February issued
this week, show that the demand for
male and female labor has been
steadily maintained, while a continual
withdrawal of men for the army has
caused an almost univrsal labor
shortage. The remarkable recovery
of the cotton trade since November
eliminated one of the chief sources of
employment.
About a quarter of a million per-
sons who were not occupied before the
war have found employment in in
6uStrial occupations, but with the con-
stant increased need Of labor and the
constant drain made by enlistment, it
became apparent that some extraor-
dinarv step had to be taken to fill the
vacancies Accordingly, early last
week the Board of Trade determined
to organize the working Womel of
the country, and those women who
were willing to work.
The first step the board took was
10 issue an appeal, which ran as fol-
lows:
The president of the board of
trade wishes to call attention to the
fact that in the present emergency
ii ne full fighting power OF the nation
is To be put forth on the field OF battle,
the full working power Of the nation
must he made available to carry on its
essential trades at home. Already. in
certain important occupations there
are not enough men and women to do
the work This shortage will certain
ly spread to other occupations as more
and more men join the fighting forces
In order to meet both the presen,
and the future needs of national in
dustry during the war, the Govern
ment wish to obtain particulars of the
women availa BILE, with or without pre-
yiOus training. for paid employment
Accordingly, they invited all womer
who are prepared, if needed, to take
paid employment of any kind-indus
trial, agricultural, clerical, etc.-to en-
Ter themselves upon the register o
women for war service, which is being
prepared by the Board of Trade labo
exchanges
Ell
Any woman living in a tow
where there is a labor exchange ca
register by going there in person.
she is not near a labor exchange sh
can get a form of registration fror
the local agency of the unemplOy
ment fund. Forms will also be sen
out through a number of WOman's sc
Hxyy
from the general manager. board {
trade labor exchanges at the addres
below.
The object of registration is to fin
out what reserve force of women
labor, trained or unframed, can
made available if required. AS frol
time to time actual openings for en-
ployment present themselves, motto
will be given through the labor e.
changes, with full details as to tf
nature of work, conditions and pa
and as far as special training is me-
esSary, arrangements will, IL posslpl
be made for the purpose.
Any woman who by working hell
TO release a man or to equip a ma
for fighting does national war Sc
vice. Every woman should reglst
who is able and willing to take en-
plOyment.''
Ready Response Made.
In a second appeal the board mas
more definite statement, sayln
Women are wanted at once to WOl
IN the following, among other occ
pations, farm work. dairy wor
leather stitching, brush maxim
clothing machining, light machln11
for armament The appeal pr
ceeded: Even if you have no specl
experience of any of this work y
should register. 1t may be posslt
to train YOU 1t is certain that
more men join the forces more Wo1
en- will be required to work VIII
they are away"
On March IS the registration
women at the various LABOR
changes throughout the country {
gan. The response was lmmedla
How many have already applied