II24 Employment of Women in Agriculture. [feb», 



culture, such as voluntary associations and women's institutes, 

 the Report concludes with a summary of the Committee's 

 conclusions and recommendations. 



The conclusions of the Committee can be briefly summarised 

 as follows ; — 



The Supply of Women Workers. 



(1) There is a large unsatisfied demand for the domestic 

 farm servant in certain areas ; this type of worker 

 appears to be an essential factor in the economy of 

 small hill farms of the stock-raising and dairy type. 



(2) There is a very slightly increased demand over pre-war 

 times for full-time milkers and stock women, dairy- 

 maids who milk, and poultry workers. 



(3) It is likely that the demand for part-time milkers will 

 increase substantially. 



(4) An increase in the women dependents of small holders 

 will naturally follow that of the men established under 

 the Government scheme, and these Vv^omen being an 

 important factor in the success of the small holding, 

 every consideration should be given to all local possi- 

 bilities of their education, organisation, and social life. 



(5) A demand for certain types of workers is conditional on 

 the extension of certain branches of farming which 

 may be encouiaged by Government policy ; some 

 again, such as the casual field workers on arable farms, 

 depend on the general condition of other trades. 



(6) p The present supply of local seasonal workers in market 

 gardens and in afforestation is likely to prove adequate : 

 the increased demand due to any extension in the areas 

 devoted to these branches of cultivation during the 

 next few years balancing the reversion of the substitution 

 of women for men which took place during the War. 



In the case of teachers of dairying similar conditions 

 are anticipated. 

 The Retention of Local Women in Rural Areas. 



(7) The establishment of certain industries such as fruit- 

 canning, jam- making, fruit- bottling and milk-drying 

 in rural areas has caused a small demand for workers 

 drawn from the locality. Should these undertakings 

 spread the number of workers required would be corre- 

 spondingly greater. The Committee have pointed out 

 that this would act advantageously in retaining women 

 in rural areas, owing to the variety of interest offered 

 in employment. The retention of these local women 



