WOMEN IN GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2355, 11 January 1915, Page 2

WOMEN IN GERMANY

WORKING FOR THE FATHERLAND. An article written by a correspondent of tie "Daily Mail," wlio managed to spend a month travelling through Germany, gives some idea of the assistance which Gorman women are rendering their country. He says: "The whole of feminine Germany is at present occupied in making socks and mittens and comforters for the men at the front. This habit of knitting has I now become so prevalent that it is something of a,disgra.ee for a woman to sit idle in tramway'car or train when with her knitting needle she might be helping the heroes of the Fatherland on to victory, for the maxim that health-preserving comforts increase the efficiency of the soldier is well recognised in Germany. Even at the stalls at the opera you find the women knitting, still knitting. Taking the Piaoe of the Mfln, "But the German Government haß mapped out a muoh more important programme for them than tho mero manufacture of 'woollies' for the troops. Wherever men can ly be spared women are now being employed. They are being utilised in increasing numbers as tram conduotors, booking office clerks, accountants and cashiers, and as level crossing guards, while I understand that serious efforts have been made to get the women in the towns, many thousands of whom are out of. work, to migrato to the country to help with the autumn, work iy tho fields. "The authorities aro credited With the intention of getting in next year's harvest with the help of the women. In the minds of tho Army there is not much sympathy with the unemployed women. An officer said to. me, 'We have provided ample work for our unemployed women in tho fields. Jf any wofnan ill the cities complains thait she has 110 work, let her go to the' country. To remain idle is her own fauLt.' No Work Amiss. "In East Prussia I have seen the women digging potatoes a few yards from where the men were digging trenches. After the retreat of the Russians from Germany, when the refugees returned to their homes, I saw tho women taking up the heavv farm workj wliich in normal times is dono by mon folk. At nearly every level crossing a woman stands at attention by tho gates as the train goes by; her flag in her hand. At the station she sells the tickets and helps to look after the luggage. In tho big cities she is acting as tram, conductor; in Berlin women are acting as ticket inspectors and guards on the electric underground. "The woman is a great feaure of railway station life in.Germany at present. At fevery large station on tho ines used for troop traffic there are long tables with refreshments and cigarettes.and flowers and picture postcards for tho going to the front w for the wounded and sick returning. The Red Cross women in. charge of these open-air' buffets do evervthing in their power for the men. Even at lonely little frontier stations in East Prussia. I have seen poor women, thinly clad, rush out in the cold rain with hot coffoe, soup and bread for the soldiers. , Ardent Patriots. is probably superfluous to sav that Germany's women are heart and soul with their men in the field. It is almost pathetic to hear them talk. A German woman said to me at a moment when, as I learnt after leaving Germany, von Kluck's army, must have been in full retreat over, the Marne, I know Paris well, and like the French. The poor French! Whv don t they give up? It would be suoh' a pity if Paris were to he destroyed. J. am so fond of Paris, and have sneiit such pleasant days there.'. About England they are very different. Their hatred of Enq-land and the English is white hot. They declare that they will' not be satisfied with the liumiliation' of England alone. England must ho completely obliterated,' voi\'(d to eternal destruction." Mr. and Mrs. W. Orr, of the Platform I'arm, intend leaving on a visit to Lngland. It is forty years Bince Mr. Orr left Southland, of whioh 21 have' been spent in pioneor work in Pahiatua and seven as a settler on the abovementioned farm. Several nurses will be passengors for fjondon the Somerset, staites a'southern exchange. They are paying their own expenses, and go with the idea of heing able to gain some experience at the front. They includo Nurses Nixon and Holmes, of Christchiirch, and t n ° wle > Blaclcmoro, and Brown, of Timaru. Sir Robert and Lady Stout aro spending a few days in Dunotlin prior to the former going to Christchuroh to attend tho annual meeting' of the University Senate. Mr. and Mrs. IT~W. S. Male hVve Rotorua We " lllKton frorr i a visit to Bouquets for either lor™ or small weddings ore belnp: wntimially desitmed. and embody the nniqiie distinction of all Miss Murray's creations. Flowers for all sionn (forwarded to any part of the DoMinion, by Misr Murray. Florist. 8G Willla Streot-Advt. 6