WOMAN'S WORLD.
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL
(By 111 OGEN.)
Miss A. Macdonald (Napier) is visiting Wellington, and is staying at tho Hotel Cecil. In connection with tho appeal which is to be made shortly on, behalf of the Wellington Free Kindergartens, thfr Women's National Reserve is taking chargo of a stall, and will be glad nt contributions from members of their organisation. F/voryone intending to contribute are asked to send their gifts to tho Reserve Office in Featherston Street. A dance organisd by a committee representing tho various branches of the Civil Service was held in St. Peter's Schoolroom last, evening, and was largely attended. The decorations were very effective. Tho committee comprised the following: Miss M'lnernnv, Miss C. Marshall, Mr. It. Tovey, Mr. G. Campbell, Mr. E. Eastgate, Miss A. M. Palmer. Miss B; 0..-Richardson, Mr. .E. ; Campbell, Mr. S. Wogan, Mr. R. Potts. The secretary was Mr. H. J. A. Berthold. Sister Drummond and Miss Thomas are in AVellington. and intend leaving for Australia by tho Manuka this week. Mrs. Berry. (Gisborne) is visiting Wellington. Mrs. Boyd (Taihape) is the. guest of Mrs. Wallace Mackenzie, Willis. Street. Dr. and Mrs. Faris have bought tho house recently belonging to the late Colonel and Mrs. Hume, Fairview TerTace. and will shortly take up their residence there. Miss Kennedy is visiting Auckland. The Boys' Institute.' . A meotihg of tho Ladies' Auxiliary o( the Wellington Boys' Institute was held yesterday afternoon. Mrs. J. Hislop, president, occupied the chair, and there were also present Mesdames Moorhouso (hon. president), Christie, Wilson, M'Lennan, M'Lean, and the hon. secretary, Mrs. G. Brown. The matron; reported that there wei'3 seventeen-boy boarders at present in the institute, and she would bo very glad indeed of gifts of material, second-hand boys' clothing, or oven men's, which could either be cut down, to fit the boys or used for patching purposes. With the test intentions in the world boys cannot make their clothing last for ever, and Borne difficultcisituations have sometimes j arisen through a shortage of garments. } As may be imagined, the mending is a largo task in itself, and the members of the auxiliary are now arranging to share it among themselves. i Landlords and Children. Harassed London family \men trying to find homes in tho face of tho landlords' "no children"- edict- will have ggison to envy New York if the measurSgaiow before tho Board of Aldermen beSfflnes lnw (writes the New York correspondent of the London "Times"). Under its provisions landlords will be prohibited lrom barring children to apartment houses and all other buildings used for dwelling purposes, under penalty of a fino of .£SO or five days' imprisonment, or both. The Bill is the result of tho growing tendency on the part of landlords to iofuso to let accommodation to people having children. Such/ a stage was finally reached that tho matter was taken up by the General Welfare Committee of tho Board of Aldermen, which corresponds to the London County Council. . Auckland Soldiers' Mothers' League, A very largo meeting of the Soldiers Mothers' League was held on Friday afternoon. The president was in the chair. Correspondence was read from the Minister of Defence, Major-General Sir Alfred Robin, Mr'. Gilbert Close (confidential secretary to President Wilson), and the Commission of 'Pensions. The ' commissioner. stated that - there was no case ■on record where 'a widowed mother of a soldier was receiving more than las. per week each for two dead sons. It was resolved: "That this league appeals to tho patriotism of the National Government to give all Civil Service positions (and there are many, especially in tho various Post Offices), at present occupied by women, to our returned soldiers, there being many soldiers capable of filling such positions." "That a letter bo sent to tho Minister of Defence asking that tho samo caro which is being given to our soldiers' graves abroad shall bo given to our soldiers' graves in New Zealand. "That this league strongly opposes the wilful wasto of money to be spent on peace celebrations, particularly in the making of useless bonfires" The league decided that at was rather too lato m tho dnv to educate our present members of Parliament, as suggested by Mr G. George, upon repatriation, seeing that they, equally with Cabinet, have had plenty of. leisure to have become thoroughly acquainted with tin? important question "if they had been honestly interested in our soldiers' welfare" Women's Movement: Its History in I Europe, . There was a good attendance at the Alexandra Hall on Sunday evening, when Miss M. England lectured, under the auspices of the Wellington Social Democralm Partv, on "The Women's Movement in Europe." Mrs. S. Beck presided. Miss England referred to the • that women had made politically and industrially during recent years. There had bceii two lines of advancement along, which-emancipation of thought amongst, women regarding their position in society had progressed. There was (lib AngloAmerican school and the Teuto-Scandin-avinn. The former had dealt almost exclusively in the past with women's po-. litical status. Its principal watchword was "Votes .for Women." The demands for women's political equality bad been Very insistent" from tho lime of Mary Yvoolstencraft'up to the modem suffragist movement, "and a great number of them had been acknowledged and embodied in legislation. The women's movement in the English-speaking countries had gained steadily in adherents and influence until to-day it was a great force. Men of tho foremost rank intellectually had lent it their whole-hearted support. Joh,h Stuart Mill had taken up the causo of women's emancipation and had done, almost incalculable service as its advocate. The Teuto-Scandinaviau school did net stop at political equality, but carried its claims into the realm? of social and economic equality. Ibsen's play "The Doll's House," claimed the right of women to full development as a thinking j human being and to something more than a performance, of her functions as mother and wife. The French, Italian. Spanish, Slavonic, and Eastern women's movem?nt hud ■ blended the leading features of both the 'J'euto-Scandinaviaii and tho Anglo-Amer-ican movements. In Russia women had now the equal right, with men to voto for tlie various Soviets, and equal i.ay for equal work had long been established in the teaching profession iu Russia, while women were admitted lo many professions at an earlier date than in most European countries. The Russian Government had admitted a woman to the rank of the Chief People's Commissaries, a position equivalent to Cabinet rank in lliis country. It had also sent the fir'!: woman plenipotentiary lo represent it nt the Brest-Litovsk Peace Conference. The women's movement in Japan was rrov/in3, and in China there were' no fewer than 21 newspapers devoted to Ihe furtherance'of the women's movement.; In India. Annie Besant was carrying on ! great and good work. Everywhere women wore awakening and organising, and their efforts and influence have been consistently directed towards tho world's advancement and progress. The world nt the. present time rcnuired the best thought, the highest devotion, the most disinterested work of both men and women combined. It was essential that man and woman should march shoulder to shoulder in Ihe modern efforts to regenerate society. It would be disastrous if women kg?erl Imhind, for then progress would be retarded and frustrated. At the conclusion rf the address sevornl qup=tions were msltr-d and answered. Miss England's address was listened to with the greatest interest and her oonclupions were loudly applauded,
MATTERS OF INTEREST FROM FAR AND NEAK,
Women's Land Army. 'J'lid demand for women's .labour on (.he land is increasing, and immediate steps ars being taken to recruit mid train a further supply (states the London "Times" of April 15). This recruiting will, the 'Food Production Department states, bo facilitated by the fact that it has been decided to raise the minimum wage for women of the Land Army by 2s. Gd. n week. They will now receive 225. (id. for the first three months' agricultural work, which includes the period of training, and afterwards 235. a, week m the minimum wage, or as much more as can be earned under the- Wages Board award. Tins advance will take eoffct on April 28. Women Barristers. If Lord.. Buckniaster's Bill to admit women to both branches of tho legal profession becomes . law, . certain problems, will have to be considered by the Benchers of tho Inns of Courts,, states the' Xondon "Times" of March]]-. Provision would have to be made for the reception, of women students, and the social' life of the Inns would have to be 60 attuned to tho new conditions (hat harmony would exist (at least outajdc Courts of Lawi between the men and women members of tho'Bar. It might .Geem that, theso problems are. not of a peculiarly grave character, but tho benchers have already set. themselves'to consider'them. The joint comriiitteo on the Duties, Interests, and' Discipline of tho Bar reeolved on February 10 that it was 'desirable that a-'special- joint committee oi; the four Inns, be appointed 'or that purpose. The benchers of the Middle Te'mplo liavo determined to act on this resolution and to do air and carry out ■ loyally any change made by the legislature. -Doubtless,the. other.lnns will tako the same course. . It is a;question whether,' if the Bill becomes law,' a fifth. Inn should be established for women, or whether-r-as it is understood is desired /by womenwomen students should bo admitted to this existing, Inns.' ' But while the suggestion -of a fifth Inn .ses.ris to be riot unreasonable, the benchers are quite capable of arranging so that men and women-students and barristers .fhnll in the shelter of .the present Inns maintain tho even a enretvr in ihe law. Children and Civic Affairs, A suggestion was brought forward at n meeting of the Tnkapuna Borough Council tho other evening by the Mayor, that mock elections and ballots should bo held in our schools, training in the -aotual procedure of. eiercising the franchise, and the imparting of elementary knowledge' regarding problems of local administration—the making of roads and'so that the children would be induced to take interest and pride in theircity or borough. . . "It is a scandal," said Mr. Blomfield, "that training in tho privileges and duties of citizenship has no part in the curriculum of our schools, and -long before this tho education authorities should have made simnlo tuition in voting and principles of citizenship part of tho child's educational equipment." .It' was, amazing what ignorance was displayed in tho uotual procedure of voting, while.tho apathy of tho public to- * wards those who wero endeavouring to administer affairs on their behalf was not very encouraging to j;hose who entered public life. * • ' The Mayor's suggestions were supported by tho town clerk (Mr..S. B. Bull), who, illustrating the ignorance that, a 6 returning officer, ho had found that at least a third of the votes were 'wrongly recorded. Fifty per cent, of tho error was accounted for by people striking out the names of candidates they did not dosire to voto for instead of putting crosses against those whom they favoured. This, however, did not render tho vote informal, as the, intention of .the voter was clear. . . Many ladies owe their good complexion to Mrs. Bolleslon's Course of .Face Massago Treatment at Home. Tho courso covers full six months' treatment, and includes ; all . necessary preparations together with a set of massage cups. Tho cost is IBs."(Id:, plus Is. postage to any address. Mrs. Rolleston, 256 Lambton Quay, Wellington.—Advt. New head by mail. From seal« to neck. Write to Miss Milsom lo see 'how Una can be brought about. The evolution of age to youth in tlis most natural way.Describe in your own manner your hair and complexion difficulties. In response you will ho guided by the original Mies Milsom, Hair and Face Specialist, ill Willis.Street.. 'Phono SU.-Advt. Prevent Infiiieiisa.—A-Swiss doctor said: "Science lias--revealed a sure preventative against influenza—electric and hot air baths." Try massage, osteopathy, ami chiropractic for internal and external ills. Both sexes treated by qualified nurse. Superfluous hair destroyed by Eusnia. Advice free. Mrs. Ilullen, Eept. V. t Cpurteuay Place Tram Terminus. 'Phone 1047.—Advt. - The- American Blouses now idiowing ,at Coleman's,'Ladies' Tailor and Furrier, 231 Lambton Quay, are nomittttl by all ladies who have seen (hem to be one of ■the most exclusive ranges of Fashion Blouses yet shown in Wellington. The two-tone effect in navy and fawn with beaded trimming in georgette nro really the most- attractive.—Advt. Dainty and captivating are our bunches and bouquets of- violets—tho most fascinating of all-flowers. Ours are always fragrant and fresh. Miss- Murray Viceregal Florist, Willis- Street, Weilin»ton -Advt. . -''The "Sports" is still'tho suit, in de- '. niand for boys, • See our 'pleasing patterns in all-wool material'at 30s. to afc. Geo. -Fowlds, -Ltd.,- Manners .Street,- - Advt. •-. •.: - : One day while .waiting-by thi» " 'nanna" ~ To send a message of my own, I heard across the' lines a call. In, argent, anxious accents fall— "T6 that you. Central? Hurry, do I Please put me on to 8-0-2. , It's closing time, I'm late, I'm Bure; I'm after Woods' Great. Peppermint Curr. -^Advt. THE HOME AMBULANCE. KEEP ZAM-BUK ALWAYS HANDY. The mother who keeps a pot of ZamBuk handy in. the house, is provided with a perfect home ambulance for giving firstaid, when the youngsters or any meniI ber of the family hurt themselves. !' Mrs. - Daley, writing from M Quay Street, Fockhampton, Q., says:— "My little son, Douglas,' fell unon a broken bottle and made a terrible" gash on his knee. ■ Beally, tho wound should have been stitched, as it was open to' such, an extent that the. .bone "was visible. However, thinking I could heiil it up, I bathed it well with hot water' and applied Zam-Buk. I continued this' treatment for about a week, after which . time (he wound had thoroughly healed. "The next injury of which Douglas was a victim was sustained whilst playing with another little boy. His companion threw a tin, which hit him on the j right temple and caused a nasty Wr I cut. LVmombering Zam-Buk. I again (reared the injury with if, and in a very short time the wound was completely heller. "Another time I was busy chopping same wood when tho axe slipued off the. side of the block and hit Douglas on the leg. opening it up with a great gash to the bone' I was glad when nn examination I found that .1 had noil her fractured the bono nor fevered an artery. 1 again anolied Zam-Buk to the wound, and bound" up (he leg tightly. I continued the Zam-Buk treatment, nnd within a fortnight the leg was perfectly healed. I have great faith in Zam-Buk for gcneral-'ina in the house." 0.. p trial of Zam-Buk ahv.ys shows that it is a remedy worth keeping handy. Zam-Buk nays for shelf-room in the home, and'is'worth carrying in (he pocket when at work. It is so compact, and a'lAvfcv-! ready when wanted. There is nothing better than Zam-Buk for cuts, limits, burns, scab.'. - eprnins, rallies, pimples, eczema, rinjiwonv, norohed cores, ulcers, .pile.'!, insect bites, ciinfinr.". etc. All druegists and storekeepers sell Zam-Buk lit Is. Gd, or 3s. Gd, a pot.— Advt, J
SCHEMES FOR HELPING . MOTHERS WOUID-WIDE PROBLEM (By "Imogen.) In founding the Mothers' Help Division the Women's National, Reserve iias touched th.o outskirts ol' what is really a national problem,,and one tliat.it is,necessary to settle in a satisfactory maimer it. the women and children of this country are to be able to hold their own physically and mentally in the l days timt lie ahead of us. The idea of bringing help in some form or another to tne overburdened mothers of families was first brought forward by Alexander Grey, &!'.u the latwr 'body, recognising that the present deartii of domestic holp was not;.ing less than a national menace, at once set to work to formulate some sciiemo whereby a measure of reliei might be brought to those women who are so sorely in need of it. The scheme t:.ey have initiated is but a tentative one, and is based upon its preserit iines purely as an experiment during which time they are gathering facts together and are endeavouring to crystallise some more prae. tical way of attacking the problem, Voluntary service can never meet th 6 great need of the time, partly because there is 110 control over the workers, .partly because the women upon whom the reserve relies to carry out the work have in very many cases homes of their own to attend to. What has to be done is to reorganise the whole, question ot domestic service and place it upon a much higher, fairer, and more efficient system. After all the State owes a debt to women. Without their help' the State could not exist, and it is surely not too much to expect that these.services should be recognised and something done to smooth somo of the. difficulties that aru besetting women in the carrying; out ot their work for the State. America has begun to recognise that a debt is owing to the mothers of the nation by paying mothers' pensions, and' England has begun to think of following in Americans footsteps. The essential fact, however, i»that these two countries have lecognisert that something must be done to lighten their burden, while "progressive" ( New Zealand has not yet begun even to glimpse the idea that her Government must help the women. Ministers of the Crown and politician's are everywhere and at all times glibly telling the people to "keep the cradles full," but of what that means to the women of the country at, the present stage of affairs they apparently do not trouble to think. Possibly were the burden of bringing a family into the world more equably divided these exhortations would not be quite so frequently heard. In England it has boon recognised that the bad effects of lnck of efficient help were specially felt in houses where there wero young children and that the consequent injury to them and to their mothers was extremely serious. In relation to health, efficiency, and comfort of home life, the matter had become a national one, and not merely domestic, affecting only tho employer and employed. The difficulty lind long been felt by a very large proportion, of mothers as an excessive strain upon their vitality, ana was a cause of burdensome anxiety and weariness both of mind and body. What steps are being talcen to 6olve tho problem may afford a little light upon the matter in this country.
Some time ago a committee of representative women, the Women's Advisory Committee on tho Problem of Domestic Help, was set up to investigate tho possibilities of drawing up a national scheme of- help for mothers. Among thoso women were Mrs. Pember lieeves, Dr. Janet Lance-Clnyton, Miss Clementina Black, and other well-known public women, and recently their report was published in the English papers. This committee suggested that training sohools tihould bo instituted by local education authorities for the training of girls from fourteen to sixteen years of age where they would get a general training which would bo regarded in the same way as a training-for any other skilled trado is regarded. .Tho committee was of the opinion that domestic servico failed to draw recruits because of the conditions which were so ;often , attached to it.. These conditions were, broadly speaking: (1) A loss of status; (2) long hours on duty; (3) lack of companionship. Various schemes were brought forward to better conditions. One was for training certificated workers by establishing centres in the various towns or districts where trained workers would be tested and /untrained workers would receive their training. Clubs and opportunities for social intercourse would be provided at these centres and if necessary; hostelß would be established for training purposes and for.the housing of servants. A proposal that met with much favour was that of organising a specialised body of workers on W.A.A.C. lines. I'or a centre without a hostel no large amount of capital would be neoded. A fact which the report stressed was that of shortening the hours of labour, bringing them down to an eight hours' day, excluding meal time and allowing, in addition to /the usual outings, a s;ood two hours off ' duty each day. The report also advocated a fortnight's holiday each year with tho payment, of board and wages. Why board in addition to wages should be paid one is somewhat at a loss to understand, since such a condition does not apply to any other form of employment.
Miss Clementina Black expressed the opinion that for families living upon small incomes the above scheme would .hardly apply unioss accompanied by some, measure of co-operation. The payment per hour of domestic service would be higher than any poor household could puy for the number of hours of which a-week would be compiled. She considered that the best way of economising service would be for groups of households to establish a common centre for buying, preparing, and distributing food, and for providing central heating and hot water. The economy that would result from such centralisation and the great reduction of service required in each household would, besides increasing comfort, enublo every household not only to have 'all the service needed, but to have it of a much highor and more efficient type. . From the report of this committee some points worth consideration might be cleaned, particularly in regard to the establishment of training centres for girls, the consequent raising of the status of their labour by that training and Ihe reduction of hours of labour. Up till now domestic service has been absolutely unorganised! but once placed 011 a thoroughly charted course with hours of leisure which cannot be infringed upon, with a recognised scale of payment and equally, a standard of efficiency of labour.assured some headway will surely be made in solving this problem. For women in. the cities and towns this matter of domestic help has been an acute one. At a pinch, however, there hnvo been strnv crumbs of help to be picked up, ifonly from a next-door neighbour, but when* the problem is more tlmn acute, is Indeed a tragedy, is in the far-buck country district's v.-liere help of any kind cannot be secured for love or money. There the real heroines are to be found, the women who liave done so much to make New Zealand the rejilthv liW" c"rni f rv Hint it is, and wlio have given to the world rome of its Irs; fighting iw>n. UrJrnwn, ttpnoHwr! tliev have fought against terrible odds, odds that bnvp wwetines cri!sh"d the light of reason from them, and broken the bravest l'»nrts that'have ever lived. Is that sacrifice to be allowed to continue?
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Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 195, 13 May 1919, Page 2
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3,794WOMAN'S WORLD. Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 195, 13 May 1919, Page 2
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