Women And The War

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 225, 21 September 1940, Page 3 (Supplement)

Women And The War

WOMEN - who have sometimes sought to exchange old- ' fashioned diamond rings for others of more up-to-date setting y have often been surprised at the ' meagre offers they have received for large and apparently very valuable gems. Formerly the supply of diamonds was greatly 1 in excess of the demand, and the "trade," ' by limiting output, was able to maintain an artificial level of price. All this is now changed. The value of diamonds is rapidly, soaring, and big prices are _ paid for "them in salerooms. It was assumed at first that this was attributable to the fact that diamonds fulfil an important function in munitions works. From Our London Lady Correspondent Apparently, however, this is not the whole cause. With memories of the last war many people lost faith in currencies. They are therefore converting money into something less liable to depreciation. But an expert" tells me that they are not showing much wisdom in concentrating on diamonds, which are liable to greater fluctuations of price than most valuable gems. Holiday Question There are, two sides to the publicspirited idea that holidays should be foregone, if not until the. war is over, at any rate for this year. Hundreds of women who have never worked regular hours' 'before: have been absorbed recently into industry, and no doubt enthusiasm for their job and the excellent spirit in works and factories will make it possible for them to work even 12 hours a day for months without being overcome by fatigue. I heard a group of professional women discussing the holiday question this morning, and putting. the other side of the picture—that of business and professional women who worked at full pressure through a year of "war of nerves" and have been redoubling their efforts since war began, besides fighting the black-out. The ; matter should be considered. Nervous [ breakdowns all round are not going to . help the country. ! Housewives' Service l Women's voluntary services, through s/their housewives' services, have taught thousands of women elementary air i raid precautions. / The organisation now 5 goes a step further and offers practical r suggestions in case of alarm by night, s Women are advised to have thick shoes I, and stockings, under garments and warm • coats all s ready to put on over night l clothes, and torches and gas masks ready t. ■to hand.-They are also asked to tell I everyona iu the house should a raid warnli ing come, to wrap their top bedclothes 1 round them over outer clothing and go » quietly to shelter. A "good samaritan" suggestion is to leave the front door open, so that anyone in the streets un- . able to get to public shelter in time y can take cover. Warnings about switchs ing on lights and keeping away from window*'afe also included.

I visited my local warden the other morning to get the new filter adjusted to my gas mask. Half a aoaen devoted women were engaged on the work, - and though the whole business only last* a few minutes, they told me that hundreds had passed through their hands since the beginning of the week. The warden who looked after me passed on the useful tip that to prevent moisture accumulation on the screen you should smear it lightly with toilet soap.