1 Telephone:Belfast No. 578.
Telegrams:'Munarea, Belfast.'
MINISTRY OF MUNITIONS
All Communications to be addressed to
The Secretary,
and quote reference
A D
Coates Buildings Castle Street Belfast 17 thMarch 1916. E.A. Aston Esq. Local Govt Board Inspector. Dublin. Dear Sir Captain Kelly has sent me your letter of the 11th and has
asked me to reply to it. I, personally, was not aware that there was any distress here
such as one would gather from your letter had been represented: but I
thought it best to speak to the President of the Flax Spinners' Association
as well as the Chairman of the Power Loom Weavers' Association.
These two Associations represent practically the great bulk of our textile
manufacturers, and they both tell me that while there may be some indiviual
cases of hardship — as in a large community it is impossible at all
times to avoid — they are not aware of any general state of hardship such
as is suggested. There is only one firm here, so far, employing women on
munition work. The firm chose the women on their merits from a long list
of applicants and the question of birth or position had I believe nothing
to do with the selection. Several at least of those selected had been
taking lessons elsewhere on how to use the machinery. I fear the account
which has been given you is an exaggerated one. I have not seen any advertisement for women for munitions in
this part of the country, and I have not heard of anyone who has seen such
an advertisement. Yours truly Alex McDowell