WOMEN'S WORLD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 287, 3 April 1913, Page 6

WOMEN'S WORLD

(Conducted by "Eileen.") EQUALITY OF THE SEXES. SYDNEY, March 22. When tin: Clerks' Union of Victoria, not so long ago, succeeded in getting the principle of ei|iml pay for the. sexes embodied in an award by a wages board, there arose a storm of contention. Supporters of the principle, including Trades Hall enthusiasts, were answered to the ■ell'ect that the award was in this respect unsound economically, and would, instead of benefiting female clerks, result in many of them being dismissed from employment by business people who were obliged, by competition, to see that they got the highest efficiency for the increased wages that had to be paid. An application for a variation of the award was made to Mr. Justice Cussen, in the State Industrial Court. His Honor amended slightly the rates of payment laid down in the award, and. in doing so, reasserted the principle of differentiation between the sexes. In the course of his judgment, he said. "Why is it that women's work is paid for so much' lower than men's practically all over the world ? This is a vast subject, and. I intend only to offer a few suggestions. I agree that the difference is not entirely justified by resulK At the same time, experience shows that, in many cases, the employer considers that it suits.him better to pay male workers higher- wages'than to pay. female workers, low wages.; We should not consider ■exceptional l women, or mere temporary results. The employer has to decide what will suit him best, what will lead to discipline being best maintained, which sex can be relied on in times of stress, and which is most likely to supply permanent hands who will benefit by training and experience."

CHATS WITH YOUXG GIRLS. WHY YOU SHOULD ALWAYS MAKE' THE BEST OF YOUR OPPORTUNITIES.

"All sorts of things happen to her, nothing ever comes ray way," says one woman to another. As a rule, the girl to whom things happen has gone out half-wav to meet them. She makes the most of the opportunities which come to all young people; she fills up each minute of her day with interests, enthusiasms and experiences she does not permit life and all its glorious possibilities to crawl by like a sluggish stream. Many girls are too timid, too halfhearted and uninterested to attract interesting happenings. They make friends of the wrong people, and when such friendships become disagreeable they wonder why they should be called upon to suffer when other girls appear to be happy in the company of their friends.

Then, again, a splendid possibility eomes along, stares them in the face, implores them to seize it. They nass it by, give it a dead cut, in fact. It goes on to some more wide-awake girl, who is keen, enthusiastic, and knows a good thing when she sees it. The latter type is not the one to complain that she has few chances. What matters it that she sees few neople, has. few friends, and opportunities appear to be few and far between? She makes the utmost of what comes her way. and surpasses many others W*io play in the game of life. BE ENERGETIC. Oirls who are the reverse of energetic, who dream through their days, puzzle why so-and-so has the best time. Sometimes they admit that more possibilities come their way, yet their lives comparatively speaking are void, especially when contrasted with the lives of others.

Why is it that a girl, who may originally been situated in almost exactly the same pol'ltion, "lives," in the truest sense of the, word, her life? It is because she makes chances by the force of her keen interest and sympathy. By the power of her personality she attracts friends who are worth having. She surmounts the obstacles in her path by the sheer force of her determination. She appears smiling after n struggle with circumstances which would have caused many others to sink exhausted.

How often is the phrase heard-: "She ,is so lucky.' If it were possible to review the life of a girl to wliom those words were applied, you would" find she is the type' of a girl already described. That is the sort of girl to whom things happen; but it is not luek.

The theory' of luck was invented by a lazy person to explain to the world why he failed. Other people liked the idea which condoned their fault and adopted it. Many girls are possessed by the same thought, and waste their entire lives waiting for the luck, which will bring fortune in its train; to appear. They wonder why it never eomes.

in this wav numbers of girls spend .all their best years placidly expeetins something to "turn up" which, will change their whole lives. It ma'v he they await the coming of a Prince Charming, which will crown them queen. They dream the moments away content HELP OTHERS. '

The. more practical girl goes out into the world. She lives every minute of her life; spreads happiness where formerly there was misery; gives smiles where once there was over-abundance of tears; in fact, she changes the whole atmosphere around her to one of joy. She gives the weak a helping hand; she assists the wearv to take their wellearned rest; and she smoothes away the troubles of children. Although her life is so fully occupied, she yet captures the Prince. What of the other girl? To her life seems long and dreary because it is so empty. She eats her heart out waitin" for someone to seek and claim her. When too late she finds out what a great mistake she has made. Girls, take advantage of every opportunity to learn and see things. You can make yourselves the "lucky" ones. Do not be content always to slip down with; the stream. Oo up-stream sometimes, face .difficulties- and overpower theni. ftirls who are afraid of a few thorns never pluck the roses.