RECRUITMENT OF WOMEN
SIR,—May I be permitted to express my appreciation of the wise and imaginative approach to the problem of " The Unrecruited Women " as presented in the leading article in last week's issue of The Spectator? The problem is a matter of grave concern to women and, in the view of many, can only be overcome by treating women on the same footing as men as fat as responsibility for contributing to the war effort is concerned. The Government's hesitation in taking the necessary steps to compel women would appear to be due to the need to face up to an even greater problem, the economic emancipation of women which, they foresee, must be the natural corollary to treating men and women equally as citizens. Equal treat- ment as regards wages and compensation would probably overcome many of the difficulties mentioned since with her lower wages the woman is at present frequently forced to " do for " herself, whereas her male colleague will rely on others to minister to his creature comforts, thus conserving his energies for his job.
A fact not always appreciated is that a woman, through taxation, both direct and indirect is contributing to the State on an equal basis with a man. She pays the same tax on tea or cigarettes, and exactly the same income-tax as a man with a similar income and responsibilities. What right then have the men of this country to lay it down that the women, who comprise about 5o per cent. of the electors of any constituency, shall receive salaries and compensation from the State on a lower basis than men? There is much talk these days of international justice. How can we hope to achieve this if, as a State, we have not justice between our own aen and women?
—Yours faithfully, M. E. FAULICNER, President. The National Association of Women Civil Servants, ro Salisbury Road, Wimbledon, S.W. ro.
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