. In regard, however, to Government
contractors, it had been laid down that the piece rates for
women should be the same as for men, and further special
instructions had been given to the Exchanges to inform
inexperienced applicants of the current wages in each case,
so that they should be fully apprised as to the wage which it
was reasonable for them to ask. A general safeguard against
permanent lowering of wages by the admission of women to take
the place of men on service would be made by asking employers,
so far as possible, to keep the men's places open for them on
their return.

Wages in most cases are at the same rate as men, and as women are
organized in Britain in large numbers, the Trades Unions and Women's
Committees are always alive and ready to act on the question of
payment and conditions. Our workers, men and women, are very well paid
and despite high prices, were never more comfortable, and never saved
more. The call for women to replace men still goes on in Britain.
Miners are going to be combed out again. The Trade Unions have been
again approached by the Premier and Sir Auckland Geddes on this
question of man power. The Battalions must be filled up--in France we
need 2,000,000 men all the time and of these 1,670,000 are from our
own Islands.

It is calculated there are in Britain today--Ireland is not tapped in
woman power any more than in man power--less than a million women who
could do more important work for the war than they are now doing.
Most of these are already doing work of one kind or another, but could
probably do more.

Our homes, our industries, munitions, the land, hospitals, Government
service and the Waac's are absorbing us in our millions. Britain could
not have raised her Army and Navy and could not now keep her men in
the field without the mobilization of her women and their ceaseless,
tireless work behind her men, and as substitutes for them, in the
working life of the community.

WOMEN IN MUNITIONS

"For all we have and are,
For all our children's fate--
Rise up and meet the war,
The Hun is at the gate.

* * * * *

"Comfort, content, delight,
The ages' slow-bought gain,
Have shrivelled in a night,
Only ourselves remain.

* * * * *

"Though all we knew depart,
The old commandments stand,
In courage keep your heart,
In