RECONSTRUCTION OF THE HOME

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 231, 18 June 1918, Page 2

RECONSTRUCTION OF THE HOME

LECTURE BY MRS. HARVERSON Yesterday evening n very interesting address was given in tho Y.W.C.A. rooms by Mrs. Harvcrson, entitled "Tho Reconstruction of the Home." Mis ( s England, president of tho Wellington branch of tho Women's National Council, under whose auspices the leoturo was given, presided, and introduced tho speaker to her audience. In beginning her address, Mrs. Harverson referred to the fact that reconstruction was in tho air and pervaded all things. Everywhere men were talking of remodelling the scheme of society, but, while women wero keenly interested in the all-important subjeot., they were beginning to realise that they were being left on one side. In all tho reconstruction schemes that had been brought forward there was none for the betterment of tho condition of women, and yet there was nothing which so much demanded it, so greatly needed alteration and readjustment as the conditions of the hombkeeping mother who is bringing up / a young family. The round of daily duties—cooking, washing, ironing, cleaning, sewing—and the care of ohudren—constituted a burdon which tho strongest man would shrink from. At tho samo time wo,were told that the influence of the homo was waning. If this wero true, and it appeared to be true, then all tho drudgery which mado up the work of the home at present was in vain. This waning of homo inlluenco was tho tragedy of our civilisation, and woman hatl. to face the problem of arresting this tragedy. If tho home had ceased to do what was required of it then it must bo reconstructed in such a manner that its inlluenco would bo restored. It must bo brought into Lino with our changing conditions of life. -With the destruction of the homo would go tho entire foundation of our civilisation. An outline of tho evolution of woman from tho first agriculturist k> a manufacturer, an architect, n decorative artist, and so forth, was given, and of how up to a hundred years ago the homo was the fosterer of all tho industries and of many of the arts and sciences. Then came tho introduction of machinery, and one by ono woman saw all her occupations taken out of her hands, till in tho twentieth centurv tho home had become a deserted workshop, leaving tl\e woman no constructive work of any kind except the production of future citizens. Work no longer unitod the family, and tho father no longer .did his work in the homo—the professional man went to his oDico tho industrial worker to his shop or factory, tho children to -their school. Interests had grown apart, and in addition even tho amusements of tho family were sought outside tho home. Tlio father was to be pitied as well as tho mother for tho condition of affairs.

Mrs. Harversou pointed out that this state of affairs' was the result of tho progress of civilisation, but women had made tho mistake of not adapting themselves to tho new conditions in the homo -clinging to tho four walls of the homo and forcing on tho, father, the duty of supporting any number of grown-up daughters. This was not only demoralising to thoso daughters, but an injustice to the man. Ail that was left to these women was to marry as early as possible, and as conditions altered matrimony becamo a more serious matter, economically speaking, for man with woman as an unproductive partner. Fortunately, however, the speaker continued, women were getting away from that humiliating attitude, and daughters were being allowed to support themselves until they married. There was still much to be desired, because when she married a girl had to drop her own work and take up that for whieli she sometimes hart no love: which brought, in no money, but which was supposed to be done for love. But tho man had to pay in hard cash for everything that was bought. The woman's part was not. "gainful," was not considered of economic value.

These were tho things we had to alter to-day, said Mrs. . Harverson. Deserted workshop though the homo was it was yet filled to overflowing with work of a very laborious character. There were people who suggested the. State should take over the care of the children in beautiful nurseries and Stale-governed homes, and that tho mothers and fathers should be free to live their own untrammelled life. Mrs. Harverson contended it was not for this that women had striven in past: ages. Women were going to keep the home, but it was going to be a homo based upon ideals and common interests rather than material toil, a place wh'ere the mother created an atmosphere of love and, where tho whole family wijtdd be bound together by kindred tastes, by mutual- understanding and sympathy. Girls, the speaker held, had a great and responsible work in the world, and their education had to be lii'oad, even broader than a boy's.

A very animated discussion followed, mid in reply various points in tlio lecture were elaborated by the speaker. A hearty vote of thanks to Mrs. Hnrversoii was carried hy tho meeting.

Mesdames Pcllier and Marcello, Artists ir. Lingerie, French Blouses, and Millinery, liavo arrived from Sydney, and will pive a display for one week at tho Grand Hotel, Willis Street, commencing to-day (Monday), tho 17th inst.—Advt. The run is on "NO RUBBING" Laundry Help, "GOLDEN- RULE" Soap, and "GOLDEN RULE" Candles. Mrs. L. Reed, Taranaki Street.—Advt.