per cut or 'set wages' of 17/6 per week.</p>

<note>19<hi rend="superscript">th</hi>January</note>

hi rend="underline">W. Mackey</hi> of <gap/> James Mackey & Sons, Springfield Rd. <lb/> Next morning I went to the factory which <lb/> had invited women to apply for munition work. <lb/> On the door posts I read that volunteers for munition <lb/> work were invited to apply by letter. I entered & <lb/> asked to see the Manager. I was courteously <lb/> informed that I should apply by letter, but on ex- <lb/> plaining that I was not coming on my own behalf, <lb/> but was desirous to see that Manager & learn something <lb/> about the work, I was asked to wait.

Eventually I was ushered into a room & saw a gentle-<lb/> man who, I was told later, must have been M<hi rend="superscript">r</hi>. Mackey. <lb/> He repeated that the rule was to apply by letter, & when I <lb/> explained that I was interested to hear that munition <lb/> work was being started for women in Belfast as I knew <lb/> the need there was for work for the womens factory & <lb/> mill workers, he at once assured me I was mistaken: <lb/> — that there was no lack of work for any women who <lb/> wished to work & did not drink.

I told him my experience was different, - that I knew<lb/> women worked in Belfast for very low wages & were <lb/> now in fear of even shorter hours owing to the shortage <lb/> of flax.

W. Mackey said that no doubt I would not credit it, <pb/>