SOLVING THE DOMESTIC PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 233, 11 March 1915, Page 8

SOLVING THE DOMESTIC PROBLEM.

From a domestic point of .view the present state of all'airs means starting afresh in not a few homes. The increased housekeeping hills in every di. rection necessitate a cheerful, yet determined resolve tTiat the 'best way to meet the alterations and vises in prices is to tackle the housekeeping expediture with keener energy. This new resolve in the h 01116 in irfiny cases means "possibly less domestic help, an indulgence very often now out of all proportion to the general surroundings and mode of living. It may now b» possible to get a domestic to train. Up to the. present hmisewifes have been paying very high wages for very poor and inexperienced service, and it has been found that the expensive maids are expensive in every other direction. With a servant to train, one can beirin on a fresh economic basis from the start, teaching her how to avoid waste, not to break china or glass, to be clean, and so on. Then it 'is necessary to work with her. and by so doing remove the prejudice that exists concerning domestic service.

When both mistress and maid puf their best endeavors into their work, it is done easily, and with efficiency. It is the fighting against it that is responsible for the'general lamentations heard so frequently. Of course, the untrained girl will have a few bad habits, and to get rid of them tact will be found better- than complaining. Careless up. bringing and little home-training may make the girl's training a little troublesome to alter; but in nine cases out of ten sympathetic advice will work re- ' form when a scalding would be resented. But in the long run the cost of tbls trifling personal inconvenience will move than compensate for the trouble, and m the saving of wages and extravagance.

Not so Ion;, 1 ago a wise wa& made by a loading professor, that wo. men ought to be made to servo a time to the subject of domestic service, in tlie same wav that a man is trained for liis profession or business. To know bow to cook means the saving' of digestion and tempers of a whole household, which can be easily ruined by badly prepared meals. Then, one can. not but welcome any scheme to turn out cooks who can eook, and who appreciate the knowledge gained. In training a servant a ..mistress has very often ••the advantage,' of training herself at the sahifc time! As we all know, successful training is supervision, combined with vigilance. Many wil'J say, and probably will feel, that supervision means a "deal of fag." Here comes in the importance of method, a quality upon which too much stress canj not be laid. It lengthens time__ and saves labor. All the domestic side of the home is governetl by method; to be methodical, is to be clean, orderly, r.uick, and careful. It is no use having one day to clean up for the other elisor, ganised six. (While it is hardly possible to lay down fixed rjles as to" ago and methods, one is treading on soft ground, and it is correct to say that the best age of a girl for training is from 17 to 20. And it is well that when commencing to train, and especially with regard to housework, it is best to insist on accuracy rather than speed. Patience is also very necessary. Duties that a girl will in the end do in half an hour would probably at first take her double that time. Encourage her to do her best for the first, and gradually increase quietness and thoroughness. (Avoid confusion by trying to initiate her ipto all her duties from the start. By degrees she will become acquainted with her daily routine, and will work up accordingly. A mistress who trains successfully, and a maid who is going to be a credit to her training, rises early. Praise judiciously accorded is generally appreciated by' a girl who is trying to do her best. Many and many a good cook has been made out of a very indifferent one by praising he when she excelled in her work, making her feel she will become proficient. With regard to clothes. No domestic calling is a success if the proper domestic uniform is overlooked. Even a girl to train should wear her cap, apron, cuffs, and collar when she is dressed for the afternoon. An untidy girl in herself will never make a good servant. Black is very undesirable, wear in this climate. Any form of print, holland, or linen is the most serviceable, and gives the longest wear.—Exchange.