FRENCHWOMEN AND ENGLISHWOMEN.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 October 1916, Page 9

FRENCHWOMEN AND ENGLISHWOMEN.

CAN BRITISH WIVES KEEP THEIR HUSBANDS' BUSINESS GOING? An article of considerable interest haa been contributed to the English press, and whether or not British women are in agreement with the views enunciated therein, it will serve to stimulate thought and evoke some expression of opinion on the point. Madame de Coppet, the wife of the French ConsulGeneral, deals with the subject of how and why women of France are prepared to meet the . national emergency which country. She writes: "It is a very difficult question to discuss without, perhaps, unconsciously offending some Englishwomen, which, of course, I have no wish to do in any circumstance. The women in France are able to carry on, I think, for many reasons, primarily because they are born to a different history. England has been most fortunate in history. In history, as in life, those who have known hardships know, perhaps, best how to get through them; and those who have not seen their soil trodden by the enemy cannot feel what that means in the same way. "Since 1870 all our men have to serve, and up to 40 years of age each man at dilierent times has to do military periods, Thus, perhaps, the woman lias been accustomed to see her husband leave off his business to do his duty for his country. But Ido not think that that is what has taught us most. The women of France are—l say this with all respect—better educated in the more important matters of life than the Englishwoman. First at school, then at home; at home by the example of the mother, the young woman learns what she must know, and especially she learns how to work. Yes, we work more in France, we women, and at every age and in all classes; almost every Frenchwoman, poor or rich, is capable of doing some kind of useful work, and does it. I think that is where there is such a great difference between the French and English women. But Ido not blame the Englishwoman; it is the training that is wrong—in this way. In France when a woman marries she is not only the wife of the man, but also his companion and help, and, what is so important, she continues to work. "The principle here in England is that the woman who marries discontinues to do the work she was doing before. She thinks her husband must keep her. In France she feels more that to help her husband is her duty. I have known instances of Englishwomen married to Frenchmen in England who come to me for advice. Sometimes I suggest congenial work, and I have only too often offended them. 'Work! I "have never worked since I married,' It is difficult to understand, because there is no disgrace in work; rather it is a virtue. "In commerce our women are much more observant. They are interested in businesses, and, when they marry, pay great attention to the work of their husbands, and strive to understand it. They are taught to do this, and consequently are ready for any emergency. In England, I have noticed sometimes that the wives know little or nothing of their husband's business. The result is obvious. If the man is called away the business fails, because his wife is unable to carry it on. It seems to mo that the Frenchwoman is a companion lind help to her husband, whereas in England the woman is too often 'a spoilt child.' Tho lesson of preparedness in the event of a big war involving the calling up of all men has never been demonstrated to the F.nglishwoman—hers is not the fault. ■'Training has taught the Frenchwoman how to be economical and to become also thrifty, and that the first qualities of a Frenchwoman should be work and economy. We are always looking ahead, and, thanks to our training and education, we are side by side with our men, and when they go, thanks to our preparedness, Ave are always able and ready to carry on." Many may feel that the criticism is of a too drastic character, and yet we have but to go into the facts of cases known to us to be convinced that there is often considerable justification for Madame Coppet's remarks. Further evidence in support of her contentions is to be found in an article in an English paper showing the need for woman workers in view of the calling up of the vast numbers of men which is now taking place. Under the heading "Women Must Work" the following passaggjappears:— "The need for more woman workers from the leisured classes grows every day. For clerical work alone in England and Wales 150,000 new women clerks are necessary if the places of men who enlist are to be filled. This total assumes that only one-half of the 300,000 male clerical workers of England and Wales will enlist, and is quite over and above the vast number of women rapidly being absorbed in trade, industry, munitions, agriculture, horticulture, transport, and the rest. "That the only women available to fill this special demand for clerical workers are women who have never worked before is a point to be specially emphasised. It means that girls of leisure, to whom a year ago a few of the lightest house duties, perhaps, with lawn tennis, golf, or boating, reading and music, were chief interests, must enlist in the ranks of the nation's workers. Virtually every woman accustomed to work has already her place, and the leisured woman is the only available reserve. "Many of these leisured women have already come out. Farming, horticulture, trade, transport and motor driving, and many other callings have taken a number of them. And every day new callings are being opened up to women. "Head mistresses in a number of cases are writing a circular to old pupils whom they know to be free, asking whether or not they care to join classes to' give them some useful training for business or other work. Employers are helping by giving preference to relatives of men who leave, and by giving preliminary training. Educational bodies are helping by sending out circulars to homes where unemployed or semi-em-ployed women live inviting attendance at busines training classes. Young men are helping by inducing their sisters and sweethearts, and in some cases wives, to leave homo and 'hold down' their jobs till they come back. This last way is especially popular, because a man leaves his position in The hands of someone he can trust to yield it up if he should want it again."