Ways of Living.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 373, 2 July 1903, Page 2

Ways of Living.

m 'm. &$ &c — m.- & i geptlewomen - #lO dgoJde %; eaw. ' their own living "rather ; than remain dependent upon the charity of their relatives for support, or simply to exist upon a mere pittance of private income, should Btill, as a rule, plan and think in grooves, and behave is a very = . sfe>ea|ypfedpanner ae werkesa. IM f » \ Bffef all, not so muoh' as a Quarter : of a century has passed by since the woman who earned her owa: bread—save in one single way, that pi stigmatised and looked down upon- by people of independent means a* something . inferior to themselves, something unclassed, I something almost slightly improper.

* :^dvlaMs§Sfr"MtrW;T&irPEt)psaff I T' - *» • ~ t Tbainbd. I Veryhappiiythe employing" public has put,aK«top c to the flooding,, of the market with badly qualified governesses, and that once,broad channel is, therefore, closed to women who do not possess the requisite and very highly-trained talents of a modern But those who are fully trained it is difficult to convince that there are openings far more possible for them than goverheßsing in families, or even in high schools and boarding schools. {What, are wanted now in the educational' market 'are board school teachers rather; than those of a. higher grade, class, of pupil. Quite as good asalary is obtainable in this line as in the other/indeed there are better'posts to- be filled, which' 4£e average girl passes by because she deems them derogatory; to her'dignity as a gentlewoinan. WOMBK ABE HyFEBSKNSITIVE. The spirit of heredity is potent. Time was when gently nurtured feminity resented very acufely. when the stress of circumstances forced it to eaM its own living. It is not natural for women to wW&j the old song have to weep, but at any rate they should not -be obliged to t0i1... ". ;y It is -just, because of that old resents ment that even Mow-women-who work are frightfully sensitive., upon.:, the < subject of what should be expected of them and what should not, what ' hurts their feelings/ what. * demeans ' them, and so forth. The difficulties with which those have to contend who have tried their best to help.women of refinement to, become breadwinners, on this very count alone, have been immense. It is strange that, this being so, numbers and numbers of employers of labour, themselves ' ladiep/ have positively had to close their doors to 'lady' clerks and assistants, and have thankfully taken in their- place ordinary women of the usual working class, or else: men? *- *■* *J II * *■ ■ - - ■- ; <S?-«A Fgoeish -Notion. /; . .. Itas-quite natural thatt. all women who work should want to adorn high spheres ,of labour. But it is impossible for all; to achieve pinnacles of success, because pinnacles are . , What is insufficientlyrecognised is ..he fact that there' 'aire obscure niches by the thousand that:still are not filled, and that may be occupied with every degree of honour and pecaniary* advantage;; -by; jthe right sort of women, when such'are,discoyerable. '" J But in each this & ! re'quisife; r that the Sid' foolish'" BOfiott %8mi i Kdhoiiiable toil dan demean anyone should be squashed. ii'V OsmtVSmi I»B.;OiJ?li}B.-.W^SIEN, ;~JDhe.forme* are requiseA-i?" > fc a^e * ne entire management of little children, of course under the supervision of the mothers in most cases, and must be properly trained for their posts, ' , ~They: m uj3£ know : . how babies are brought upj" what to 'doln" cas"es' hi Sudden illness, must comprehend completely the hygienic care of the nursery and its inmates, how to cut iout clothes, how : to sew, and in case of need how to cook is a supplementary accomplishment that is useful. Laundry matrons or manageresses need hot be ybarig women j indeed, staid-age is considered <an advantage; They must be strong in health, of business-like habits, be accustomed, to control those under them, and yet to command the liking and rerpect of subordinates. Also, -of course, they must have been trained in the work. . ... Governesses who have been superseded by young women with later diplomas and certificates should find in this channel an outlet for their energies. As a rule, however, it is the ..goyeraießSf who is most difficult to place in a. hew s*lche. Her firmest faith circles .upomsecretaryshifs to members of Parliament; nor can she understand how it is that when the time doeß come for her to require such « : pOBt '■- it ia not forthcoming.. &m . with, languages at their, command are advised hot to build upon .meeting with '; secretaryships of this giorifiel : ahd-indefinite 1 kind, but to acquire shorthand and a knowledge;.oftypewriting; -They are, with these,ac-. complishments to- their credit, far more, like/y.to find fresKempiyment than with their natural talents only "as an ; asie't; Moreover," the. post of shorthand secretary ■ does riot" necessarily g'6l;oyoting women,, 'and' can be kept: long after youth:has. fIcWU. "■;.,: -i, ~:■;,'-,7 ;■!■•-',;;.. ; 'u'-'-i