WOMEN ALARMED AT BIRTH RATE DECLINE IN ENGLAND.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 363, 18 February 1937, Page 2

WOMEN ALARMED AT BIRTH RATE DECLINE IN ENGLAND.

Lo ndon, January 23. Do mothers want more baby girls? Do married couples want larger families? Thousands of women members of the National Council for Equal Citizenship want to knots' the answers to these questions—because they are preparing a “More Daughters and Bigger Family” campaign. Mrs Eva Hubback, president of the council, mother of two daughters affd one son, will launch the campaign in May by putting a “Bigger Family” resolution before 300 delegates to the annual meeting. Women members are alarmed at the falling birth-rate and in particular at the decrease in births of girls. “We must have more baby girls if women are to get better conditions for themselves or even to keep the equalities women have already won,” said the secretary of the council.

The Toast Domestic. The Dundee Presbytery has been urging that the drinking of toasts should be abolished on the grounds that they lead to intemperance, states an English pgper. But at least they are now confined as a rule to public celebrations. In eighteenthcentury Scotland, however, they were deemed indispensable at private' parties. As soon as the meal was over there would be a call for a “round of toasts,” to which everyone present, ladies as well as gentlemen, had to contribute. The practice was made more difficult for many by insistence that the proposer, after toasting someone of the opposite sex. present or absent, should add a“sentiment” —a short, epigrammatic sentence “expressive of moral feelings and virtues.” Lord Cockburn, who detected the custom, recalled: among the “sentiments” he heard Th his youth. “May the pleasures of the' - evening bear. the. reflections of tEe£ morning,” and “May th? hand ofcharity wipe the tear from the eye of distress.” The practice created a market for collections of toasts and sentiments. One tuch, “The Gentleman’s New Bottle Companion,” published , in Edinburgh in 1778, affords ample evidence that Cockburn heard or recorded only some of the most refined “sentiments,” such aE’ found favour before the glasses had been charged bver-often.

Minister’s Wife. The people of the West Coast have shown viarm affection for Mrs Sullivan during her tour with her hutband, the Minister of Railways, states the “Christchurch Star-Sun.” She. joined him at Greymouth last week on his way to the glaciers, and at each reception highly complimentary references have been made to their work as Mayor and Mayoress of Chrittchurch. It was clearly demonstrated on Saturday at Wataroa, Hari Hari, Ross and Hokitika that Mrs Sullivan’s work in provicflng baby outfits for mothers in poor circumstances had touched the hearts of the West Coast people. Special cheers were given for her at each place.

Bridal Fashions.

The bride of 1937 who selects a picturesque period gown will be a replica of her mother or grandmother, for the latest fashion books reveal bridal frocks of a past period in which the leg-of-mutton sleeve predominates. Discussing the subject, a local dressmaker said that according to advance reports the tunic frocks would be favoured by many prospective brides. In the matter of colour the modern bride still auheres to the traditional white—or rather deep cream—which is most becoming. Some, however, incorporate a touch of their favouriite colour, say pink or blue, into the bridal scheme. Southland Sunshine. Talking about the weather, a recent visitor to InvcrcargTll said that owing to the incessant rain he had abandoned a camping holiday up north and had come to Southland “to get some sunshine.” He stated that he and a friend pitched their tent in a pretty spot outside Auckland. Then the rain came. They remained several days but finally gave it up. His friend returned to Wellington. Desirous of making the most of his vacation the speaker said that he travelled south and had struck better weather in Invercargill than he had experienced during his holiday travels.

Descriptive Trip. The unseasonable -weather which recently prevailed in the North Island spoiled many holiday plans. Writing f.'om Wanganui a friend stated that owing to the storms she and her hus- • band, who set out on a yachting cruise, had to modify their plans. Describing her the writer continues: “We strudßa storm but fortunately were in Hauraki Gulf and able to seek shelter. It curtailed our trip somewhat, we were making for Kauweru but couldn’t do .it. The pohutukawas were in full bloom, huge trees some of them; apparently they love the salt—for they rwf re growing at the very 'Water’s -edge. Coromandel was quite a surprise. I expected it to have an abandoned appearance—a sort of relic of past splendour. It was certainly not t- busy place, but quite pretty, lots of beautiful trees and flowers, somewhat spread out, giving an impression of beauty and spaciousness. The surrounding hillsides were a network of tunnels; square cut openings appeared everywhere, the result of the search for gold in days patt. Coromandel is very isolated, there is no railway and the road into the town looked steep and narrow. The wharf was some distance from the town and even our launch could only go alongside at high -Water. Despite the weather we enjoyed the trip and are looking forward to another—but that depends on the weather.”

The Royal Household. Speculation is rite in Mayfair as to the composition of Qhecn Elizabeth's new household. It is entirely distinct from that of the King, and, headed by a Lord Chamberlain, includes a private secretary, who is also treasurer to Hr Majesty, an assistant private secretary, a mistress of the robes, four ladies, and from six to eight women of the bedchamber, and an accountant. Queen Mary appoint'd four maids of honour when she came to the Throne but ae the appointments fell vacant she did not fill them again. About a. year ago She appointed the last of the group, iho Hen. Jean Bruce, to be a woman of the bedchamber, which, of course, means' in the language of to-day, a lady-in-waiting. It is being freely suggested that Lady Elphinstone, the Queen’s eldest sister, may be one of her chief “ladies” and that the Hon. Elizabeth Elphinstone, her ni»ce and namesake, may be the first maid of honour.