A WORKWOMEN'S CLUB.

NZ Truth, Issue 69, 13 October 1906, Page 5

A WORKWOMEN'S CLUB.

THE GALLANT PICARD CHIPS IN.

TO THE BDITOB. Sir,— l tumble into print to have ai big row with "Truth" on above subject. After running my eagle eye through your article : "Wanted : A.' Workwoman^ 1 Club." I felt you were only on the surface. Why, New Zealand wants these clubs m all the principle centres, and why do you say Wellington alone ? Surely, the work-womein throughout the other centres are situated precisely the same as m Wellington. I endorse your state-* ments right up to the hilt, and you have hit the nail fair on the head,, and it is time some paper did so.| Were I to express my admiration fori such a grand and noble scheme the praise mi<rht almost drop into flat-t terv. If these homes, or ra.ther clubs,, were established throughout these Isles it would be a perfect God-send to hundreds of young- girls and wo-i men. It is one of the grandest ideas yet proposed by any paper flyine; its fl-ae m the interest of the toiler on ' God's Own Isles, and every word m; your article is a true bill, only make \ it general. There is an institution oD a like nature m Sydney, and oft times have I walked past and heard! the daughters of Adam having a real • genuine evening's fun together ; m) faqt, I personally knew a Venus who, was a member, and she said it wasj l rig&t up to the knocker. Truly women have a nasty time oft ' it when placed as you state, and unless she is wheeling a perambulator,, or has got her arms full of babies, on ' the plain, gilded band on her finger stief is ey^ed with suspicion, especially when j she goes into a park for a spell from; ' the rip and roar of the city. I have real, genuine admiration fort the woman who pushes out into the* world m search of employment. The; self-supporting woman who perhapsi moves hundreds of miles through the, colonies on her own, and has all sorts) of things to put up with. Boniface, eyes her with suspicion, as also does the boarding-house keeper. Well,, they have to cater for all sorts, and! . perhaps we can't blame 'em for being careful. I am sure the wellwishers of the class your article referred to could establish these clubs i all around. - It would be a grand move. But let it be a working-wo-mans' club, not a gospel foundry. I • feel sure some of the fair sex will make a big move m this matter, andl when they move it is to some pur- 1 pose. Why, for long weary months Napiehr was disgraced by not even having a public reading-room, more shame \o somebody on this side 06 Zealandia, but a committee of ladies came to the rescue, and a rattling good room was opened here by their efforts; and many a hundred has cause to thank them during the winter, months. I say again, it would be the grandest thing going if such were established right throughout , this country, and would be a blessing to thousands of women who have to push their own way around m search of a living. I coutd swine along on this subject for hours, but these fewi lines will suffice, and I do hope that these' institutions will become established. It is the, best idea I know* of, and I have often thought of it. ; Well, if nobody makes a move m the matter the Government should, and' if they do it will be m the right direction. Talking about the sweeter sex reminds me that I have to stride forth this eve and list to whair the sail seawaves are saying, whilst gazing mto the most bewitching pair) of eyes m Hawke r s Bay. so I will finish, Good evening.— l am. &c, ARTHUR PICARD. Napier, Sunday, 10-7-'O6. :•