WOMAN'S WORLD.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2855, 21 August 1916, Page 2

WOMAN'S WORLD.

MATTERS OP INTEREST FROM FAR AND NEAR,

(By Imogen.)

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL Red Cross Card Tourney. The sale of tickets and donations for tho. bridge and euchro tournament, arranged by the Women's National Reserve Committee, Kelbnrn, lealised the substantial sum of £43 10s. for tho Red Cross Fund, and as there are 310 expenses to bo deducted whatever, this amount is most gratifying. The oommittee desire to thank the proprietress of tho Kiosk for the uso of the premises gratuitously, also the ilrms who kindly donated tho prizes, and those who contributed supperdishes. Mrs. I. Ker and Miss Holmden's names were specially mentioned in assisting with the sale of tickets. A cheque for two guineas from a Kolburn resident was gratefully acknowledged. A hearty vote of thanks was passed by the committee for the excellent work done by tho secretary. Peter Pan Ballet. Miss'Estollo Beere intends presenting another of her dance-recitals at the Grand Opera House in October. Lovers of artistic and interpretative dancing look forward to these recitals, and this year, it is stated, Miss Beere has somo exceptionally finished dancers. Miss Beere will produce "Peter. Pan" in ballet form, and a lovely dance-story, . "Wildflowers." Mrs. Algar Williams will act as secretary, and the wounded soldiers will again benofit. The Cost of Living. . Much dissatisfaction has been expressed in England with the committee that has been set up by the Board of. Trade to investigate into, and : to deal with, matters concerning the high cost of living at Home. A writer in ah English paper says:—"We asked Mr. Uunciman to appoint a committee consisting of one-third working-class women housekeepers, one-third trade union representatives of the trades concerned, one-third experts' and' traders. On Mr. Runciman's committee not one representative of the main body of buyers in this country—the working women housekeepers—is to he found] though it is so essentially important that these women should be represented that we should almost have been justified in claiming for thorn a representation, not of one-third, but of twbfchirds. There is hut one woman on the committee, Mrs. Pember Reeves. We welcome'her appointment, because she lias undoubtedly taken an interest in the position of the down-trodden ■woman who has to maintain a household on' 'round! about a pound a week,' ■but' it is ludicrous to suggest that her appointment can in ajiy way satisfy the claim to representation of tho vast body of working-class housekeepers;" Tho committee contain.Sj wo note, but two Labour representatives, although the working class is immensely larger than any other, and tho working class is the class which, suffers most from high prices. "But probably the most serious defect in Mr. Runciman's committee will turnout to bo its lack of power. Its instructions arc to: "Investigate- tho principal causes which havo led to the increase of prices of commodities of general consumption since the beginning of the war, and to recommend such steps, if any, with a view to ameliorating tho situation as appear practicable and erpediont, having regard to the necessity of main-. taining adequate supplies." That'phrase, "to .'recommend l such steps, if any, as appear practicable and. expedient,"' is decidedly unpropitious.' Li'the ■ modern political history of this country too many committees have sat to-, consider and report, and have found themselves powerless, either to take action on thoir.own account, or to enforce action upon, the Government. When a deputation of working women housekeepers waited on Mr. Rnnciman, its demand I ;'was that the Government should take control ,of tho supply of food and other necessaries, and that it .should fix both the wholesale and retail prices and profits, so that the present capitalists would become virtually managers for the nation. The deputation also urged tho progressive nationalisation of food, fuel, and shipping, thus paving the way for the ultimate complete Socialisation of the means of life, which is necessary for the welfare of tlio' whole community, whether in peace or war. 'This work, it .was urged; should be done under the direction of the committee above indicated." The writer also states that the present extortionate prico of milk will add to the death-rate of infants as surely as night follows day. Mrs. and! Miss Holben, Palmerston North, are in Wellington. They have come down to see Mr. Holben off to London. The golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Marsh, well known in Taranaki, was celebrated at their residence recently. They were married at To Heuui on August 14, 1866, tho bride being Miss Emma Coad. There was a largo gathering of relatives and friends to celebrate the anniversary. Sister M. 'Watt, of Palmerston North, and lately matron of tho Garrison Hospital at Samoa, has been spending a month's leave of absence with, her relatives. She arrived in Wellington on Friday on her way to the front. Mrs. Holland, Mayoress of Christchurch, who has been visiting Wellington and Nelson, left for the south on

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Wedding Announcement. — Beautiful roses and the choicest of flowers only are used when designing wedding bouquets, which I make a speciality of. Packed and forwarded through the Dominion. Miss Murray, Vice-Regal. Florist, SC Willis Street.—Advt.

Ambulanoß Work at the Front, • The following is an extract from a letter written by an English soldier to his mother from tlio Vosges region, where he has command of a French Ambnlanco Convoy :—"The fine weather here lias one drawback:' We have nightly visits from Bosch aeroplanes, who fly over at the first streaks of dawn, and drop high explosives on ns. It is most disconcerting. We have two mitrailleuses in o\w gardens, who squib away at them ?,but don't appear to have the slightest effect on them, and make an infernal row. You lie in bed, and put the pillow over your head, which, of course, is just about as much protection as the,, slates of the roof. One fell in the lalto last night, and shook the whole house. I sometimes wonder if I ought not to return home, but the impossibility of remaining happily in England while this thing is on keeps mo here. I am the oldest Commandant of all the thirtyfive Sections Etrang'eros attached to the French Army, and next week will be wearing on my arm the double brisque, signifying that I lmvo done eighteen months' service on the front: in that lies its value. The 'brisque, which is an inverted V, was initiated by Napoleon, und worn by men who had done five- years' service, who wore known as brisquards, regular devils of fellows. Father probably knows all about it. It wipes the eye of all the 'bloods' who swank about doing their service 'daas l'arriere,' becauso 'lo front' ici is a jealously-guarded, narrow zone." The .letter was forwarded to relatives in New Zealand. British and Allies' Relief Fund. Miss Litchfield and Miss Morison hare rceeivotl at tho T>iwn Hall parcels of clothing for tho British and Allies' Relief Fund from:—Lady Wilson (Bulls), Mrs. G. W. Smith (Wairoa, Hawke's Bay), and the Ormondville Ladies' Patriotic Committee. Effect of tho War. . "Monsieur Brieux, the dramatist, sums up the things Frenchwomen have done under the present stress,- and adds:—"Women have now eaten of the fruit forbidden them, riot by God, but by men. They have learned; they know what they can do. The revelation was possible for them, because, tho man was not there to say 'Leave that alone!'" Tho Duke of Manchester, also summing up for Eng- : ' landj says:—"Women have found out that there is practically no form of wage-earning that they cannot do, and do satisfactorily. Will those who have made this discovery go willingly to rearing children in craniped and cheerless quarters? Some may, but most will not." The New'. York "Evening Post" rather gravely questions whether, after all, it is as yet ascertained what women can do. "We must wait for tho children yet unborn," it suggests, "to ascertain tho_ price women have paid for. their strain and privation." The- "Evening Post" apparently ignores tho strain and privation of the women who pinch and overwork them- ■ selves in their own homes; and tho ghastly results for the race, says the "Common Cause." A Decorated Nurse. While Australia's soldiers have been upholding tho honour of their country on the battlefield, an-Australian nurse.' has been adding to the laurels that Australia has won throughout the war. News,has been received in Melbourne: that Miss Ruth E. Darbyshire has been awarded the Royal Red Cross, first' class—the highest honour "that can be conferred upon a nurse. The investiture was carried out by , His Majesty the King at Buckingham Palace, in tho presence of a distinguished company. Miss Darbyshire .went to London from Australia shortly after the commencement of the Boer war, and rapidly made her way in the nursing profession. For six years sho was matron of the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, Derby, and now holds the unique position of being matron of St. Mary's Hospital, Pad-' dington, W., and principal matron of the second London general military, hospital,. Chelsea, S.W. The ceremony of investiture by the King, re-' ce'ived a good deal of publicity in the London newspapers, special mention being made of tho fact of ; Miss Darbyshire being an Australian.. Her brother, Mr. Taylor Darbyshire, is general manager for J. C. Williamson, Limited. ■ s > , ■•' The Spinsters'' Club, who have made tho lonely soldier their particular care, are preparing to provide him and all such with gifts for Christmas.. As one means of raising futds, Mrs. James Hannah is assisting them by arranging an entertainment which will take place in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall at an early date. Jlisses Driscoll and Watkins ivill assist her At the "Charley's Aunt" Club during September, Miss Hardinge-Maltby, with Messrs. Laslett-Exton nnu Phipns-Williams, will appear in an amusing little comedy. Mrs. Barclay, of Otaki (late of Waikanae), is staying with Mrs. A. it. Johnson, at St. Paul's Vicarage, Bolton Street.

Rose Day In London. . The festival of tho Wild Rose, associated with the name of Queen Alexandra, was celebrated this year in the manner we have all come to expect (states the London correspondent of the "Evening News").- The suburbs of London were as well organised a 6 the City and West End,. and practically every person woro the emblem. In past years New Zealand has had a depot and committee all to herself, but on this occasion the executive committee found it difficult to obtain depots. New Zealand subsequently Worked with Canada, and tho sellers obtained their roses from Westminster City Hall, where Lady Perley, wife of tho Canadian High Commissioner, was in charge. The district covered included Trafalgar Square and its ini--.mediate neighbourhood. Tho Now Zealand ladies were stationed in White.hall, and they included: Mrs. Walker, Jfiss Bent; jliss Stella Carr, Miss Dorothy Cumberland, Miss Smith, Miss Taylor, Miss B. Taylor, Miss Lytton, Miss Bosworth, Miss Eva Bosworth, Miss E. Sandiman, Miss A. Heath Slater, Miss de Strange Nolan, Miss Vers Alison, Miss Kathleen P. O'Grady, Miss D. Munroo, Miss D. Baker, Miss E. Barlow, and Miss R. Jarvis. Apart from the street scenes, incidents w.ero not wanting to provo the popularity of Rosb Day. At Christie's the first lot put up for sale- was a little ■wild rose, which went for ten guineas.' Probably tho highest price paid for a single flower was the £100 Koto sent •to the Hon. Mrs. C. Craven, who had a stall at the Savoy Hotel. Queen Alexandra took her customary ■ drive past a number of the larger depots to tho City and back. Her Majesty, accompanied by the Princess Royal, Princess Maud, and the Duchess .' of Portland, left Marlborough House during the afternoon and passed along Piccadilly and through the park to Oxford Street. Two open landaus wcro ■used. Queen Alexandra, looking youthful and charming, was in a jetted lace coat over white, and some pink roses were in her black toque.' Her landau had all its available space filled with the flowers. Everywhere tho throngs lining the pavements : accorded a warm greeting, to which Her Majesty gave smiling recognition. By way of Holborn and Cheapside the' Mansion House, was reached, and tho return journey followed tha route of Fleet Street and tho Strand. .

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Convincing proof of the value of»"Sydal" in cases of sunburn and windburn is provided in a statement by a non. com. now in camp at Trentham. He had suffered severely from chapped and Toughened skin, tried a sample pot,, and derived such remarkable benefits that he spread its name and fame amongst others at the camp, all of whom' speak (n the highest term 6 of the softening, soothing, healing properties of this refreshing emollient. 2s. at chemists and stores.—Advt. . •

Women Should Organise In his half-yearly report the secretary of tlio United Clerks' Union of New South AVales draws attention to the fact that partly as a result of the war women are increasingly entering into employment in the commercial world. 'He says: "The. influx of women into commercial life is not resented —rather it is welcomed—but one is alarmed at the unfair competition, and the only fair solution of,, this economic problem is equal rates' and conditions for tho sexos. It- has been the union policy to demand this, but in no industry has it yet been conceded. The more intelligent women are in complete agreement on this'matter. The only way to achieve this objective is by the organisation of women. It is my intention to constitute a women's section with this purpose in view." In order to raise funds for the Upper Hntt Orphanage, a meeting of sympathisers was held in the No. 1 Committee Room, Town Hall, last Friday evening. It' was decided to hold a sale of work in tho afternoon, and n. concert and dance on the evening of Friday, September 8. Mr. Levin (chairman for tho recent "wireless" dance), and Mr. Cormack were elected secretaries, and Miss Stace lady secretary, and a large committee was appointed. Sirs. F. G. Bolton will be in charge of tho afternoon arrangements, and Miss Hallcy's pupils will give an exhibition of dancing. Miss Murray has promised to decorate thn hall, and Mrs. Oscar Johnston to look after the supper. Already many promises of help have been received, and Hie tickets will bo on sale at Begg's during the week.