A STARTLING- SUGGESTION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1725, 16 April 1913, Page 8

A STARTLING- SUGGESTION.

• GIRLS AND' DOMESTIC EMPLOY- ; ment. , A rather .'Startling suggestion-is made in tho ."Australasian, Medical Gazette" on the important subject of the employment of women. No sadder sight can meet the eye, of him who'"loves his fellow-men," the "Gazette" points, out, than that observable at the Australian metropolitan railway stations each, morning beween 8 and 9, with the large proportion of girls in 'their /teeK going to work in factories, shops, and officcs. After a reference to the effect of this-employment on the future generation, tho "Gazette" goes on:— "The only solution to the problem seems to lie in the passing of legislation which, will prohibit the, employment of girls and women in any walk of life which is not unquestionably women's work, until they . shall have passed through an apprenticeship in household work. Such apprenticeship should be for six months, preferably longer, the housewife being responsible for tho conduct of tho girl, and for giving her opportunities of obtaining knowledge. At the end of her time a certificate would bo granted, and thereafter, .if she still so desired, she might seek other avenues of employment. The apprenticeship need not be confined to the homes of the well-to-do; in the humblest cottage,' provided thei mother was accepted as capable enough to teach, a thorough grounding could ba acquired.: Where there are daughters in tho family, these ,-in. turn could lie articled to ; their,mother, who, must bo made respon'ißiblc.'for.'their'doings.,' In some such way iis this tho "dearth of assistance in the home would bo overcome, mothers would have-breathing space, families would increase','the future child-bearers would, learn somewhat of their duties and responsibilities, and the , ills of infancy would bo,diminished."

The "H.M.S. New Zealand Souvenir .Number,''"pf'thoj ''Weekly Press," which is to "be" issued "to-day, will contain'ls pages of ;illustra,tion .and general reading in connection with the arrival of Il.lt. battle-cruiser New Zealand in Wellington. • A number of the illustrations are views (if the important parts of the warship. This instructive issue will Iks clothed in a specially-designed white coyer. Only seven persons voted in a county council election ill the East -Ward of Lowestoft, fivo for one candidate and two for another. Only one person in 100 had taken tho trouble to go to the poll, and each vote will cost, tho county J?2. Mr. Keir Hardie, M.P., was mobbed by students of Manchester Univorsity Union on March. 3, and after vain attempts to deliver a .speech whs forced to abandon his meeting. Mr. Ifardie had been invited at tho instance of tho group of the university, but tho debating room of tho union was crowded by. students,- who held strong views in opposition to Socialism, and as sobh its Mr. Hardie arose ho was greeted witn uproar.