HOUSEHOLD HELPERS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 228, 23 June 1944, Page 6

HOUSEHOLD HELPERS

. Alternative Scheme Advocated The women of New Zealand were urg; ing the training of “household helpers, and it was claimed that without this help they could not care for their homes and could not have children, said 1 rofessor Strong, former dean ot the Home Science School of Otago University, at a meeting of the Home Science Alumnae Association in Dunedin. There was also an agitation for training nurse girls. No one doubted that women needed help; but was it the responsibility ot the Government to furnish it, she asked. It seemed to her that the Government s responsibility was to establish nursery schools and kindergartens where desired, so that young toddlers could be trained bv specialists and thus tree the mother for her house work. This would meet the situation far better than producing maids and nurse girls. Parent education groups would help the mother to continue the right kind of training in the home. “I should like to see the present domestic science classes in the elementary schools abandoned,’ she said. Ido not feel that the cookery and housewifery taught under present conditions are meeting the objective desired. Instead. 1 would have all girls given a full term of home-making at the end of Standard VI. This would be conducted in buildings which are similar to our homes, and every aspect of housekeeping would be dealt with. The girls would co-operate with the nursery schools, and thus obtain experience in the care of children. Lhe course would include discussions of family relationships and it would be all to the good if boys would participate in these talks. Such co-operative work would lead to that essential training in self-discipline, mental, physical and moral, without which wc ennot hone to build up a better world.

TWO RECENT GATHERINGS

A new venture for the Victoria League in Wellington was the morning tea given vc .terday tor- new members who bad joined during April, there being 20 for that month. Those present were entertained bv the committee, and Mrs. J. A. Doctor, the president, discussed the league’s activities with them. Members v ho joined in May will be the guests; at the next gathering. A private screening of coloured sound films was held in the rooms on Tuesday night, as a result of which funds will be considerably benefited. Members enjoyed the fine selection of films presented bv Mr. Ivan Wilson, the subjects including wartime London, rural England, Scotland, industrial Lancashire. and South Africa. Mr. Wilson was thanked by Mrs. Doctor and Mrs. W. H. Gledhill, vice-president, and supper was served.

PRESENTATION TO MRS. HISLOP

At the invitation of Miss Amy Kane, representatives of a number of women s organizations met recently and decided that a presentation be made to Mrs. 1. U. A. Hislop in recognition of her work as mayoress of Wellington during the, past 13 years. It was decided to invite a small contribution from every woman in Wellington, and the representatives undertook to make this known to their members. Miss F. M. Low undertook to act as honorary treasurer. By the courtesy of the management ot DI.C. Ltd., a box has been placed on the counter adjacent to the booking office in which the women of Wellington are invited to place their contributions as soon as possible.