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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1265, 5 March 1872, Page 2

At the delivery of the prizes for plain sewing to his cottagers at Hughendeu, Mr Disraeli spoke on the importance of this accomplishment. He said that at the Great Exhibition this year there was a display of plain sewing from all the countries in the world, and that the prizes were mll given to Great Britain, the judges being ot opinion that the plain sewing in Great- Britain was superior to that of any other nation in the world. On coming to examine the prizes, however, when they were allotted, he found that they were all given to Irishwomen. He wanted to know the reason of their gaining all the prizes. He was perfectly ready to do full justice to the abilities and talents of our fellow countrywomen in Ireland; but he could not understand why all the prize* in this department should fall to them. He found this out—that the Irish Government had very wisely plain sewing as an important part of national education, and that it was not recognised in England.. Id consequence of the prizes offered by the Irish Government plain sewing had been stimulated and improved among the people of that country, the immense result of which could hardly be conceived. Every lush woman who went to the National School was taught plain sewing, and the consequence was, that the greatest degree of happiness and comfort wns diffused over all the households of which they were members. In England, unfortunately, that had not been the- case. Many who lived in the cottages around knew what inconvenience was caused by the blundering manner in which women without proper instruction attempted to make or mend their husbands' or children's clothes. Prizes were now offered for the first time by the vicar's lady for plain sewing, and he looked forward with much pleasure to the improvement which competition in this respect wauld effect among his friends around-