NEW WAYS FOR WOMEN

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 490, 24 April 1909, Page 11

NEW WAYS FOR WOMEN

Nowadays, when discussions and debates • are included in the school curriculum (says an Australian paper), ,tho average girl is given excellent chances ; of qualifying herself to earn an excellent living in many unusual directions. The woman '/who can speak concisely and, to tho point, who can defend a good cause, or' who can demonstrate any particular process, is a treasure of which tho world has far too few.' Such a woman is invariably in- demand, i There is hardly an association) a society or,a business firm that is not willing to pay, and to pay well, for the services of snen a woman. Such an institute as, the Austrabsin'.lnstitute of Domestic Economy proves ithis. It is almost impossible to arrango ditea to suit a firatclass demonstration of cookery, dressmaking or millinery, so apt is she to be bespokon. A few. years ago an American food manufacturer sent to Australia a young woman to demonstrate tho virtues of his goods. That young woman, by hor deft manipulation of cooking utensils, her intimate knowledge of cookery, and, above all, her smart, attractive methods, sent a stream of orders flowing to America. Only last week an equally well eet-up Englishwoman has been demonstrating < how to profit by the possession of a gas stove. Scores of Australian manufacturers express themsolves as more thah willing to_ employ such women. Tho sorrj, fact remains that the loc&l demand is far in excess of the supply. Wo have a few exijellent speakers and a few excellent demonstrators, but the large majority of aspirants to employment as either is lamentably ignorant of how much goes to i the making of a really successful career. No ' amount'of knowledge of;a subject will compensate, for an unattractive manner and appearance, while the reverse holds equally good. „ - ~'i , Manufacturers are not the only people ready to .employ good woman demonstrators. The .Government' utilises i many experts, and heads of Departments agree with manufacturers in deploring (the scarcity of likely employees ._ In the meantime the principals of many'la'rge'schools and colleges are looking in vain for women who can demonstrate dressmaking, millinery, cookery, and the like. A little training should soon' result' in an improvement of the present situation. A quickwitted -woman, who maies a study of her special subject and mastars the principles of elocution, is safe to have brains enough to, learn how to make the'best of her manner and appearance. And while, broadly speaking, it must be admitted that your first-rate demonstrator is neverWkely to bo common, a field would.be openedi into which many women could work to their' great advantage.