WOMAN'S WORLD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 211, 11 October 1909, Page 1

WOMAN'S WORLD.

CAMPAIGN AGAINST KISSIXG. A scientific Government - supported campaign against kissing i» in progress in lowa, where a unique experiment is being watched with ken hue-rest nut umuiiiglcd with auuwmctu liy the other State Legislating uf America. At I lie cost of the Stun- t-n\> a ■NewYork message) IUU.IJIIO artistic- ribbons reading, "Don't kiss me," have heen printed to bo attached to the neck if every infant in lowa. One of these signs is scut to every household as soon as the arrival of a new baby is registeied. The object of the executive's antikissing movement is to stamp out tuberculosis.

A new office—that of State Government Lecturer on Health—has been created. Its incumbent, Dr. Arctar Edward Kepford, has. just completed a whirlwind tour of lowa, in the course of which he converted and secured the active assistance of 2000 lady teachers and addressed countless audiences on tie evils of kissing, w-liich he eloquently denounced as "au absurd eustoinvholding no joy." Kissing, according to Dr. Kepford, belongs to the Stone Age of courtesy, like the rubbing of foreheads, noses and chins. "I am confident," he says, "of bringing about the abandonment of ths dangerous practice •within a generation."

The method adopted s>y Dr. Kcpforrfs brigade of school teachers is strikingly original. When invitations are issued for "moonlight picnics," "lawn fetes," or dances, these health reformers send each invited guest a notice reading somewliat as follows: "Do not expose one you love to the germs that lurk in kisses." If one of their former pupils is reported to be courting he receives by the next post a printed admonition that he "Jla.v hold her hand, but must not kiss her."

Or. Kepford is now arranging f.ir prizes of £2O each to be awarded to "all unkissed girls of fifteen," with an added £5 for every year she goes unkissed. "The younger generation of lowa," he proudly declares, "will be brought up unkissed and uukissing."

LADY WARD INTERVIEWED. Seen' in the drawing-room at "Awarim" (says the New Zealand Times), Lady Ward chatted pleasantly concernin;; the various delightful experiences of the family during their toa'. Though told in the most unassuming manner possible, it could easily be gathered that theirs had been something in the nature of a royal progress. 'They landed in London oii July 20th, which, by a singular coincidence, iva6 Lady Ward's birthday. Among the many notable by whom they were entertained were the Prince and Princess of Wales, with whom Sir Joseph and Lady Ward lunched en famille. Prince George and Princess Mary being of t'ie party. According to Lady Ward, Prince George and his sister are a very fine type of English boy and girlhood, favoring thei r stately mother in physique Then there wa/a dinner party at fte Earl and Countess of Onslow's, where tliey made the acquaintance of Mr. Wood (Lord Halifax's heir), who has since been married to fjady Dorothy; and another at the llousFDf Commons, at which tliey were the guests of M r . Reginald McKenna, First Lord of the Admiralty. The dinner at the Guildhall, in honor of the Defence Conference, was another great event, and four or five teas were given in their honor on the terrace at the Ilouee of Commons- These teas were a very exceptional compliment, it being a matter of much difficulty nowadays, owing to the -nll'ragcttes' tactics, for any woman to pass "the doors of Parliament House, even members' wives being subjected to the nio*t rigfd espionage. Lady Ward drew a graphic word-picture of these devoted women, who keep guard over the House of Commons all day long, rain, hail or shine, their breasts placadci with "Voles for Women."

The Prime Minister and his family were at a brilliant garden party given by .Mr. and llrs. Asquith. and tuey there nict the Duke of Omnaught. Thoie were many Xew Zealamlers present on that occasion, which greatly added to their enjoyment. They attended the naval review at Spithcad, being received by the First Lord of the Admiralty and Mrs. McKenna (who, despite the important position she holds, is yet in her teens) aboard the ICnchantress, which followed the Royal yacht. Lord Northcote, es-Governor-General of the Australian Commonwealth, and Lady Northcote were among those entertaining them, also the High Commissioner for New Zraland and Mr*. Hall-Jones, Lord Hanfurly, Lord and Lady Jersey, Mr. and Mrs. llenniker lleaton, the* Hon. Alfred ami Mrs. Lyttelton. Mr. Balfour, Sir Frederick and Lady liorden, and a host of other notabilities; And all this entertaining went on when the season was over. One wonders what it would have been in the midst of It.