THE DEMAND FOR FEMALE DOMESTIC 14.1301.at IN SOUTH AFRICA.
110 THE ICULTOlt or Ten "Srsaveirort."] think it may interest some of your readers to know that there continues to exist in South Africa a very strong demand for female domestic labour. For cook-generals and flume-housemaids, indeed, this demand is practically insatiable, and a hard-working, capable woman who has had experience in these capacities can command at once 24 to £5 a month (£A8 to £60 a year), Even uptrained women of good character and general efficiency can earn £8 a month. The South African Colonisation Society, of which her Royal Highness Princess Christian is the president, not only undertakes to find a situation for any young woman of good health and with a good record, but is able also to offer her many other aelvantages. It advances the passageenoney, which amounts to £15, it secures her the protection and ears of a first-rate matron, it eliminates as far as possible for her all trouble and all risk on the journey. No intending Colonist goiug by herself and on her own resources could Possibly travel either so cheaply or so comfortably. By the kindness of the directors of the Union-Castle Company a portion of their third-class accommodation and deck is separated from the rest and devoted entirely to the South African Colonisation Society party. These quarters are inspected before every voyage by some of the ladies of the Committee. In the same way carriages are reserved specially for the Society on the trains which carry the travellers on the long journey up country to the Transvaal. The Society has hostels in London, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, and Rhodesia. It is, however, important to remind your readers that, great as is the outcry for domestic servants, the Society will send only those who are physically and. morally Sound. Every candidate has to be passed by the Society's doctor, and must have absolutely first-class referenoes. In thus sending out young women the Society is not merely Performing the functions of a registry office. It is looking to the future of South Africa. A large proportion of these Young women eventually marry and settle in the country of their adoption. It will be seen at once how vitally important it is, where the foundations of a new country are concerned, that the mothers of future Colonists should be healthy in body and fit to bring up their children as good citizens. If in sending of her best England is making something of a sacrifice, it is only such as all mothers make, and make gladly, for their children. Should the recruiting of the population of South -Africa be left now to the morally and physically unfit, it would be a standing reproach to the Mother-country. All information regarding the sailing of parties and other pre- liminary information can be obtained from the secretary, South African Colonisation Society, 47 Victoria Street, London, S.W.—I am, Sir, &c.,
CAROLINE GROSVENOR,
Member of the Committee of the S.A..C.S.
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