DOMESTIC HELP INQUIRY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2001, 7 March 1914, Page 11

DOMESTIC HELP INQUIRY.

WHAT THEY- SAY. For tho past two years (writes a London correspondent) tho Women's Industrial Council ha3.bcen.,conducting an inquiry into tho 'question I 'of domestic service, and the results will bo published early in the spring. Tho method of inquiry was to send out 10,000 forms, 5000 to mistresses,' and '5000 | to servants, the forms being sent,, of course, to different houses. Based upon the replies, Miss C. V. Butler, author of "Social Conditions of Oxford," has written tho report which tho council will publish. "Tha forms," said Miss Wyatt Papworth, M.A., secrotary of tho council, "wore 'sent all over tho United Kingdom., Tho replies are very satisfactory, but I should say from, my perusal of Miss Butler's report that tho replies of the . servants are more" satisfactory than thoso of the mistresses; that is, thoy aro better done, more to tho point, and more dramatic in their presentation of the.case."

According to Miss Papworth, the- re : plice's indicate, for one thing, a desiro for more definite "free time, and a growing appreciation of the difficulties from the mistress's point of view. Another point of particular interest to the students of social conditions 'came out in many of the replies, when the writers said they were all right as long as they were with "road gentlefolks''—as they put it—but several said that when they were with the "jumped-up rich" that thoy were not treated properly. Asked if any of tho correspondents expressed objection to being addressed by their Christian'. names, Miss Papworth replied:-—"Not. so much as one would ■ have expected." Servants in Copenhagen object to being, addressed by their Christian names, while their sisters behind • thd counter aro called "young ladies."' Thoy desire to be known'as "assistants" of various sorts, such as "houso-assistant," instead of "housemaid," "house help"- instead of "general,"\cto._ The mistresses of Copenhagen, it is said, do not object to these suggestions, and are prepared to address their servants as "Miss," and drop the. Christian .name.

. VOGUE FOR BEADS : Among the dress fripperies of the hour none is .more curious than the leg muff, is the recent news from Lor don. Tho thin potticoata, and tho meagre skirts of the present, mode, have forced the slaves of fashion to find some method of keeping .warm. .The result has been the popularisation of muffs for the legs. The leg muff is a silk legging lined with fur, which can be drawn on; over the shoe, and comas above the knee. It can bo slipped off with the opera cloak, and left in the cloak room. Owing to the bitter weather in Paris during tho last few weeks, many Parisian women have heen tempted to,invest in a pair of muffs, and profess not to havo regretted their purchase. Certain enterprising London shops are also attempting to popularise beads. Amber ij once more in demand, and the price of a good string of amber beads has increased by about 25 per cent, during the last three months. Chalcedony, Cornelian, Lapis Lazuli, Pink Quartz, and Cbrysopraso are the most popular stones. The fact is that-the-low-cut necks of modern dresses havo necessitated some form of adornment f or the neck..' Tho revival of the bead has proved a charming solution of a very real difficulty.' Tho more popular bead necklets are large, and rather barbaric in colour, and shape. Doubtless, in tho recesses of their jewel boxes, many ladies will find heads dating from Victorian times. They will be glad to know that; it, is onco more fashionable, to wear them. . ~\ " ',

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