COUNTRY WOMEN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20050, 23 September 1939, Page 6

COUNTRY WOMEN

ENGLISH FARMING LIFE DOMESTIC HELP PLENTIFUL

Warm praise of the hospitality of English people is offered by Mrs. V. C. Smart, formerly of Wiri, near Auckland, who toured England and the Continent recently as a member of an. Empire farmers’ party. She said that everywhere site travelled in England she was made to feel at home, the people taking delight in showing her their homes. Mrs. Smart said the life of a sheepfarmer's wife in England was very different from that in New Zealand. Domestic help was much cheaper and more easify available, and it was not unusual for the owners of small farms to employ four or five domestic workers. Electric light was used everywhere, and most kitchens were nrovided with modern tiled coalburning stoves. 'che Enelish farmer’s wife thus had much more opportunity for social activities, and she also spent much time in her garden, which was always beautifully ‘stocked and laid out. Many farmers’ wives marketed their tulips, violets and other bulbs. Loyalty to the Throne was marked throughout the country, Mrs. Smart said. In all cases when the King and Queen appeared publicly, they were given overwhelming receptions. Thousands' of people would wait tor hours to catch a glimpse of them and to cheer enthusiastically as they passed. Mrs, Smart was fortunate in having several close views of the King and Queen, and she spoke of the charm which had endeared them both to young and old of all classes.