WOMAN'S WORLD

Taranaki Daily News, 31 July 1920, Page 6

WOMAN'S WORLD

PERSONAL ITEMS. Mrs. J. T. Martin (Stratford) is the guest of Mrs. Colson, Fitzroy. •*• • / Miss D. Bradbury, who has been the guest of Mrs Balham, Wellington, returned on Wednesday. Mrs. Gordon Fraser is on a visit to Auckland. Mrs Laeey Peake (Te/Awamutu) is the guest of her mother, Mrs. Dodgshun. Mrs W. A. Alexander and Miss Phyllis Alexander returned to Auckland on Thursday. •. # • • Miss Inez Kirkby has returned from a visit to Inglewood, where she was the guest of Mrs Leslie Kirkby. • • * * Mrs Paget, who has been the guest of Miss Mackay, returns to Palmerston North on Monday. Miss Mona Paget will join her at Stratford. • * • • Miss Alice Brewster is spending a few days with Mrs Ronnie McLean, Hawera. • • • • Mrs H. C. Collier is on a visit to Wellington. • • • • Miss Marshall is visiting Inglewood. The engagement is announced of Miss I. M. Mac Donald (late of the staff of the New Plymouth Hospital) to Mr W. F. Alexander, son of Mr A. A. Alexander, of New Plymouth. » » • • Miss Church, who has been residing for some time in New Plymouth, leaves next week for Auckland. g • » • Visitors at the White Hart this week include Mrs Spence (Gfeborne) Mrs Murton (Wellington) Mrs D. B. Day (Tokomaru Bay) Mrs Signal, Miss Terrin, Miss Newman, Mrs P. Bowers (Wanganui) Mrs and Miss Haydon (Palmerston North) Miss Potter (Dunedin). Mrs E. Morris (Hawera) Mrs Cresswell (Auckland). SOCIAL FUNCTIONS. Mrs Cowling gave a most enjoyable dance at the East End Pavilion last Wednesday, to celebrate the debut of her daughter, Miss Barnitt. The supper tables were beautifully decorated with spring bulbs. Mrs. Cowling received her guests in a handsome black taffetas gown with a beautiful emerald green scarf. Miss- Gwen Barnitt wore a dainty frock of white crepe de chine and carried a bouquet of fresias. Mrs James Wilson entertained a few friends of her daughter, Miss Annis Wilson, at a small dance, at' her residence last week. THE W.C.T.U. NEW PLYMOUTH UNION. The monthly meeting of the W.C.T.U. was held in the Workers' Social Hall, Kew Plymouth, on Wednesday last. Mrs. W. Auld presided. An interesting report was given of a home meeting held at the president's house on the previous Wednesday. Sister Nellie, of Okaiawa, was present, and gave an account of her work amongst the Maoris. Site advised that the union procure some of the useful leaflets printed in the Maori language, and distribute them amongst the women. The union has now a good supply, and the officers of the union will be glad to hear of a volunteer who lives near the Maori Hostel who would be willing to take charge of this work. Another home meeting is to be held at ■Vogeltown on August 11th at the residence of Mrs. Gilliver (opposite Mr. Fred. Okey's), Carrington Road. Mrs. Gilliver, as hostess, will cordially welcome neighbors and friends on Wednesday afternoon, 11th August, at 2.30 p.m. The next monthly meeting, on August 25th, will take the form of a pay-up social? which will be an easy and pleasant way for the members who have not already done so, to meet the treasurer, Miss Taunt, and pay their annual subscription. One new member joined at the Dartmoor home-meeting, and one has been welcomed from another Union. A resolution. of regret was passed at the removal to Wanganui of two such staunch workers as Mr. and Mrs. N. T. Maunder, and many warm wishes were expressed for their future welfare.

CONCERT AT INGLEWOOD. (From a Correspondent.) The Catholic Social, held last Thursday evening, in the Town Hall, Inglewood', was an immense success. The fine weather ensured a good attendance at this popular function, and the arrangements left nothing to be desired. The floor was in capital order for dancing, while Mr. Percy Chapman discharged the arduous duties of M.C. in his usual efficint style. The supper, although in great ainount, was severely taxed by the' large gathering. The music was supplied by Miss Curd's orchestra.of four performers, which is sufficient guarantee of its excellence. During the evening songs were rendered by Mrs. M. Dodunski, MUs McMahon, and Messrs. Howard and Breen, and were much appreciated, as was also a recitation by Miss Thompson, of Stratford, while the ball was kept merrily going until the small hours.

MIDDLE CLASS DECLINE. VIEWS OF CORRESPONDENTS. Sir,—This is the first time my feelings have caused me to "rush into print," the reason being the article on 'Middle Class Decline," in your issue of the 27th. Will you tell me, Sir, how it is that the Commission can be in possession of such facts as were mentioned, and then expect people to want families? In the same copy of the News is a whole string of returned soldiers and parents with small children who have either been denied possession of property ihey have purchased, or turned out of other people's homes—principally on account of the children—and still the idiot; ic slogan goes forth, ''Fill your cradles!" Let me tell you, Mr. Editor, the middle class, whose decline is deplored, and also the lower class, is profiting by the example of the so-called upper class, wlio arc too cunning or too selfish to have children they can easily afford to keep and educate. For these days, working people who have children are as handicapped as a drowning man with a mill»tone tied to his neck, and I, as the aiother of a family, would never have Hi *oifett!' )» |A»U* MtJWMI . *fc>

wishes to be comfortable to have a family, not because of the children, but because of the existing management of affairs, wliich makes a curse of what should be an honor or a blessing. Trusting you will find space for a few things everyone in my position is thinking today,—l am, etc., "COME TO FACTS/' Opunake, 28th July. * Sir, —An article in your paper treating on "Middle Class Decline" is written in England. We do not tolerate a middle class nor upper class, nor ye;, a poor class in New Zealand. AH arc earnest workers of all grades for the general community, and subsequently ourselves. Our Government is elected on that assumption, one and all being decided upon, not only for sustaining "Seddon's principles," but also for allowing such statesmanship a free growth. Now the middle class in England is ' suffering Jget a sound medical opinion on how long a nervous breakdown endures) to a much greater extent than the opulent, whose share in war troubles was merely in most cases a tonic. Wonen so suffering Nature befriends, and also prevents birth of weak offspring—it actually showing stamina of the English or any nation. Unforced Nature takes full care of everything reasonably in its care. We now may speak of the so-termed "social question," illegitimates. First, our care must be to give such incorrect summings up their correct place in the dust heap. Children unprovided with a lawful father is a national problem, a problem receiving such tardy recognition that one is forced to the opinion that women at the helm is the way out. Mothers they be, whatever the circumstances, able only in some cases to obtain slight rights, cases which form an exaggerated kind of breach of promise. This does not include those wantons of both sexes who must at all costs be suppressed by law. There is a law prohibiting actual bigamy, but those who use preventive measures against natural-born children by married people should be punished severely. .Punishment alone would deter. Untaught motherhood is too much stressed as against fathers' responsibilities and cares, the fathers by marriage not even allowing, in practically any cases, the prospective mother to be immune from conjugal rights. Are ;he fathers of sons, or the Government, lor "society," remiss in proper teaching? !Or are women penalised by an ordinary marriage law? And there we perhaps strike the key-note to the declining birth-rate. Predominating man power will overpower that so much cherished right of living, Nature's laws recognised. Go into any maternity home, where wojmen throw off society's sham, and ask [for their marriage bugbear. Are mothers under such conditions preparing for the inatural feeding of their infants? Doctors affirm that to be the cause of misplacements and other painful ailments which often cause death, or—may we say?— manslaughter. The doctor's opinion is indisputable. This does not include the outraged feeling 6 arising on account of a natural desire to protect the unborn young, the feeling apparently being too deep for free expression. Had they known that such was married life they would not It; ■<> married. —I am etc., E. A. ARCHER. Stratford, 28th July.