Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-12-15
LADY RHONDDA SPEAKS
OF INDUSTRIAL FUTURE
Declares That the Opportunities for
Women Are More Numerous
Than Ever.
EMPLOYMENT NOT PLENTIFUL
This Is Due to tho Fact That She
Will Not Desire 20 Keep Place of
Labor Left by Man Who Went to
the Front.

|. o y d o y, December li-Lady
Rhondda, than whom no one is better
qualified TO speak on the subject Of
industrial! reconstruction as anectin.
women. at the conclusion OF the war
holds out a 5rish; picture OF the
future. and although she sees grave
difficulties ahead she perceves no rea-
son for dependency. says a writer in
the London Pail Mall Gazette.
las labor is gradually readjusted
women are bound to suffer she eS
planned. No woman ,twho >now 'tilis
the place OF man in the army will
claimed by It's rightful towner.', she
said Employment will, therefore, be
difficult 10 secure. however gradual
the process OF disqualification. II is.
ever the difficulties of the readjust-
ment period. IL. Will continue TO be
the accepted ,hing throughout the
man should w Hrf a oms thar man OF
VIII continue after the war. as il is
now. TO be looked upon as disgrace
PERSONALLY. am sure that all should
work. From purely economic point
OF view II is clear that all who con
sumo should produce. and recent years
have proved that occupation is bene-
hcial to most people.
"Crdoubtedly. as we Settle down to
inc task OF reconstruction there should
he adequate employment for all. There
Is an enormous amount of productive
factories and mines and in the re-
placement OF our depleted stocks.
The task OF erecting more houses
in Eng land and rebuilding the devas-
Gated lands abroad Is tremendous
one Some OF this work will tend to
absorb men rather than women but
mat SIMPLY means that other occupa
lions Will be left open to the latter.
For example. they will surely, in many
cases. be able TO retain the posi,ions
thcy nave recently filed in shops and
undertake the duties of middlemcn.
Many new professions. TOO. have re
Gently been unbarred to women. and
as the barriers of custom begin TO
break down we must expect more and
opportunities. OF course, woma n
pioneer in one calling is likely TO re-
Guire the assistance of a woman pio-
neer in second. and so generally
strengthen the position OF women in
the working world.
Moreover. there are other branchc.
eminentiy suited: They are fitted 10y
nature TO care for the health o. the
race. an important factor in recon
ff eruG ,o The payment that is OF
comparatively low. and if we arc 10
OBTAIN the services of the best work
efs, and therefore maintain a higher
must obviously offer better remunera
tion 10 those who care for the sick
y number OF war workers nave been
enlisted from the ranks of our domcs-
TIC servants. and these will OF course
very easily obtain fresh employment
Tor one, however. am convinced tina;
me maidserrant Will not merely find
II possible to return TO her former cin.
ployment under former conditions. II
our households are to run smoothly. the
workers In them must receive con
sidcration and freedom to some exien,
commensurate with that which they
have enjoyed as bus conductors. land
workers, factory workers and the like
When transport becomes normal
have great hopes for those girls who
VIII emisratc. Our empire is young
our colonies need new energies, cnd
emigration will draw off many women
from this country. The break which
many girls have made from their HON rs
recently, the experiences they have
gained in the ranks of the sister ser
vices will help them 10 carve out their
futures overseas"