South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-24
WOMEN To KEEP
ON IN INDUSTRY
Conditions in England Make
Discrimination Impossible,
Declares Premier.

LONDON, Jan. 24.-No discrim-
ination is to be made against wom-
en- in British industry, Premier
Lloyd George declares in a letter
addressed to Lady Rhondda, presi-
dent OF the women's Industrial
league. who had submitted TO him a
memorial setting forth the claims
OF women to freedom OF employ
ment.
After the pledges made by the
government TO the trade unions
have been fulfilled, wrote Mr.. Lloyd
George in his reply, women will
find ample scope in peace pursuits
He supports the principle OF equal
output" and promises full opportu-
nifty for women in training and ed
ucatiOn.
I'm those industrial occupations
in which women were engaged be-
fore the war" the Premier added
opportunities of every sort will be
opened up for every class of wOm-
on worker, and 1 believe that the
real working representatives Of or
ganized labor may be trusted when
the time comes TO see the necessity
Of utilizing. in the interests of pro-
duction and TO the best advantage,
every class of worker available"
VIII Not Lower Pay.
Regarding payment, he says:
ITO permit women to be the cats
paw for reducing the levei of wages
is Unthinkable. II is not desired by
enlightened employers, TO whom
good production and uniform wages
are desirable; cutting OF wages,
with its consequent instability. is
not at any time either in their In
terest or I'm that of the nation"
Lady Rhondda's urged in her
memorial that artificial restrictions
on the employment of woment in
industries should be removed. not
only as a measure of justice to the
sex, but in the interests OF national
industrial efficiency She asserted
that it was now threatened TO with
draw even the imperfect tolera-
ton" that was extended 10 women
during the war and that in the in
OuNAlltH III W lllAi NItN Wt4N III AAfN
with the urgency they should now
resume the condition OF helots.
Such restrictions on their employ
mert. she declared We're artificial,
unjust and disgraceful to a civilized
community.
VIII Not Exclude Women.
The present conditions of wom-
ems employment. Lady Rhodda as
serted. prevent them from being
Women were not consulted in the
arrangements for the reconstruc-
tiOn OF industry. She pointed out
that while the government was
bound by it's agreement with trade
unions. there are many shops
which had sprung up during the
war I'm which the governments bar
gain with trade unions would not
operate 20 exc ude women from en-
ployment. Women. she declared are
not seeking in industry a renewal
Of strife but a clear grant TO them
OF their just rights human be-
ings and freedom of employment.
They recognize. she added. that
their claim comes after the claims
of the sailors and soldiers IN the
war.
Women know that in some OF
the occupations in which they have
served during the war they have
been only a makeshift by reason OF
inferior strength" Lady Rhodda adj
mitted. "and in the long run wom-
en- must be excluded from such by
the ordinary rules of economy.
With these reservations, women
claim unrestricted liberty to be en-
gagged in any industrial employ
ment. provided only that they re-
ceive the same pay as men do for
equal output. They claim the OPP
portunitv Of being trained I'm the
most efficient way and particularly
the provision OF women instructors
on work In which women have
proved more su c s s u than
men. They claim the same oppor-
tunities as men for promotion, rep
on government commit
tees and all public bodies and facil-
tiles OF education in schools and
that will enable them
10 qualify equally with men in all
suitable trades and professions"