A SCOTTISH SCHEME FOR EMPLOYMENT [To the Editor of the
SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—Under the heading, " Unemployment " in your issue of June 20th, you review two books on unemployment among boys and girls. In Prof. Scott's pamphlet he suggests taking urban children from school for a week at a time to live in Homecroft Settlements. It may be of interest to some readers to hear of a scheme which is running successfully in Glasgow.
In February, 1924, a society there, interested in women's trades and occupations, was asked to send unemployed girls to farms where domestic help was required. The scheme was taken up tentatively, and without much hope of success, as it was unlikely town girls would remain in country situations. An advertisement in a farming paper brought a sheaf of applications from farmers' wives for girls. Great care was taken to find out if the farms were suitable. A large number of girls between the ages of fifteen and eighteen applied, and, to the surprise of the Committee, accepted posts. The great majority are still in the situations found for them. The good food and varied interests of farm life seem to appeal to them, and many letters are received from mistresses and girls testifying to the good relations existing between them. Of the 350 already placed a surprisingly small number have returned to town life.
The expense of running the scheme is considerable, and makes a heavy demand on the slender resources of the society which is financing it. It is, however, very little compared to the results obtained, both in the incalculable benefit to the girls and the considerable saving to public funds on which these girls are at present, or likely to become, dependent. No Labour Bureau, however well managed, could undertake this work, as an essential to its success is to fit the right girls to the right places and to keep in touch with them by correspondence after they are placed. Full particulars can be obtained from Miss Irwin, 58 Renfield Street, Glasgow.—I am, Sir, &c., A. NOEL PATON.
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