RESTLESS!

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 205, 1 September 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

RESTLESS!

THE NEW SPIIUT AMONG WOMEN WORKERS By ONE Of ItifM "I'm trying my luc<c in Austral'* after the war," said Constance as throe of us sat in a barge being gently towed along the canal that winds its way through lovely Hertfordshire. Both of us looked up and smiled a 1 her. "I'm really serious," she continued. "I've made up my mind to emigrate." "I'm with you," said the other member of tha trio, '' but South Africa >s my destination; it appeals to me more, and 'when tin's blessed war is over,' as they say in the Army, 1 shall try my fortune out there." I did not answer. This spirit of adventure which is seething so strongiy in the ranks of women workers is quite familiar nowadays. Is it to be wondered at ? The same spirit wh'ch has taken our brothers from their ordinary occupations, which has altered the course of their whole careers, has not left us untouched. It has fanned stronger than ever the desire in us for adventure, and. for something d'ffercnt from the ordinary path mapped out for so many girls. The enormous opportunities open to women have aroused ou rambifcons. But, although stirred and restless, we are sticking to our jobs «c home meanwhile, because we know we' are needed here, and because we want to "see this war through" before embarking on new ventures. The two young pioneers so eagerly discussing their plans were typical business girls strong, capable, healthy, level-headed gir's in the.r early twenties. "I wonder if you really will go?" 1 broke in pleasantly, lazily watching a couple of water rats cha.se each other. " Why not?" cn.ed Constance. "What is to stop me, and what have I to keep here for." "You've a wood post," I reminded h-sr. " Yes," she said, "but can you see me ever retiring upon the money I shall save here? You know what it means; while I'm a steady worker—l'm not brilliant—l shall go on in the same groove from year to year, getting a small annual increase. As tim,e passe* the work will get more monotonous, and possibly I shall lack the courage to start anything fresh. I shall find myself too old at forty," she laughed. " and e nd my days in an almshouse trying to live on an old-age pension!" "Oh, yes, I know what you"will say: there will be the gildings of a new blouse, a hat, a kmema, or an occasional theatre, but those are not good enough to persuade me to settle down comfortably and contentedly to the years I see ahead." " But you will have to work wherever you go.'' I argued, "and you will have to get old, too. 1 think I'd sooner uo both in my own land among my own people." "Yes. but don't you sec the difference?" she cried. "If 1 emigrate it will be like growing up ail over again—there will be new faces, new ideas, new scenes, a new country. And even jf I do not 'make good' I shall haw had variety, 1 shall die having seen a litt'e more than the tiny area I know. "'Can't you understand the spirit that sent our pioneer men away from the Motherland?" she continued earnestly. "It was just the spirit of adVenture, and after all these, generations ; t is coming out in the girls of to-day We. like our brothers, want to go and see things for ourselves. We've always bad these longings, but so many of us have suppressed them, but somehow the war has given us the courage to attempt those things wp have always longed to do hut have always hesitated to do." •'Has it struck you, "I ventured, "that a'l these dreams might be knocked on the head by marriage?" "There again," cried Constance, "we're up against a blank wall over here. Now what chance do I get to meet anyone marriageable ?~Work takes up more hours of my day than play; on the salary I earn I cannot afford to join clubs or to go to dances. In the small circle of my acquaintances, both social and business, 1 meet the same men day after day, and none df them appeal to me." "You are sure to have a chance," sard one of us. "Thank goodness—for our .sake and for the men's too—we do not have to many for a home nowadays" cried Constance. If ever the right man comes my way I shall marry him, and gladly, but I'm beginning to think he'll never find me if I vegetate in the same spot where I have always lived. "Besides, the truth of the whole matter is, I want variety, experience, call it what you like —I call r.t adventure Some might call it revo't," she added as an afterthought. "You can warn me as much as yoe. like about the dangers, struggles, loneliness, and disillusionment that may await me over the sea. I'm willing to pay the price and take the risk of my adventure and I believe 1 shall find my happiness in emigration. Anyhow, even if I fill I shall a'ways have th-'. satisi'act'on of having tried my luck But why should I fad?" "I agree with every word." said the girl who looks on South Africa With aproval; "only,'' she added quietly, "my reasons for going are influenced, too, by other facts." Wo were silent as we thought of tho stalwart lover who wou'd never return to make her h's brido. So tbe argument died, but if some parents could sec intr> the minds ol their daughters nowadays they would be amazed at the plans and dreams forming there, and when peace is declared they will be still more amazed when these plans take concrete form. So many of tht girls dreaming these dreams, however, do not perhaps realise that success across the water does not always compensate for the loss of home tie-iind associations, nor do they realise that comparatively few women are fitted to stand alone as men do, thatsympathy and affection of the home folk are smli neccswuj'y part- of -\ woman's life. But will the probable loneliness, disappointment, and struggle that may be awaiting many of the women who will be ( aught in the tide or emigration i'.fter the war deter them? I think not. 'the young women or to-day have "backbone," and they know it : the umes have a'so tested their courage and capabilities; thev are looking ahead and fac'ng facts. The country which receives these energeti • and courageous women will have some rich material within its borders. 11. M. L. in "Dailv Mail "