WOMEN'S RESPONSIBILITIES IN AMERICA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 204, 17 May 1918, Page 3

WOMEN'S RESPONSIBILITIES IN AMERICA

MISS JEANNETTE RANKIN IN THE FEDERAL CONGRESS. Some interesting remarks were made by Miss Jeannette Rankin, member from Montana in the United States House of Representatives, in connection with the Bill which was before tho consideration of the House dealing with the question of providing further for the national security and defence by stimulating agriculture ami facilitating tho distribution of agricultural products. Miss Rankin, who is addressed as the "lady, from Montana," brought forward an amendment that the Secretary for Agriculture should as far as possible engage for the employment of women for the work therein provided for, and in speaking to her amendment pointed out that the work suggested, such as extending and enlarging thei news service and preventing waste, included activities upon which women had been largely engaged. And when these activities were so closely related to the homo as the food question was, women were especialy well fitted by their "training and experience to do this work.

Continuing her argument, Miss Rankin pointed out that it was self-evident that women were going to fill many positions that had been filled by. men in the past, and this was ono where they could be effectively employed. Women '015101815, with thein understanding and sympathy for home problems, would inspire a confidence in the i.omc-woman and would encourage her to cooperate with the Government in 'his emergency. Women as housekeepers had to learn to think of food in oar-lond lots, in transit, in Btorago, in tho Board of Trade, and in the national markets, as well as in small portions on the family table. By using women officials in this work the attention of all women would be concentrated on tho larger bearings of the food probems. It would bring the women into closer' co-operation with the Government,

"Food conservation on a national scale," said Miss Rankin, "was but the natural outcome of woman's traditional work. Women in the past had been concerned in tho immediate preparation of food from one meal to another. They had now to consider the supply'■of food for the year. They had to be individually concerned with the food supply for the whole country. The resporsibility of the international problem of feeding the people lay with the women. Women had to take an intelligent and responsible share in the world's work if we wore to see that all the people were fed all tho time." (Prolonged applause.) The amendment was agreed to, and the announcement of the result was received with further applause.

Miss Hilda M. AVilliams, Officer 0.8. E., formerly of Wellington, was on the first committee of the New Zealand War Contingent Association, and seeing at an early 'dato the necessity for a 'canteen jiear tho old offices in Victoria Streot, she established herself "The . Dug-out," iu which'her mother '(the late Mrs. T. C, Williams) and other members of the family were also interested (states a London correspondent). When the Headquarters moved.to another pai't of London, Miss Williams closed "The Dugout" and opened, at Hornchurch, a new and large canteen, The Whare Puni, which has been a most valuable adjunct to the hospital there. She also took ,a great interest in fitting up limbless soldiers before the present arrangements for receiving artificial limbs were perfected.

Tho Kelburn Croquet Club will have a cake day at the Wellington lied Cross Shop on Tuesday next, and mombers expect to have a supply of all kinds of delicious home-made cakeif.

Caps in big demand. Boys' cotton Gabardine golf caps at 2s. 6d., black and white check,golf caps !!s. 9d., woollen gabardine, iu golf and w ascot shapes is. (id. Geo. Fowlds, Lid., Manners St —Advt.