CANDID CONFESSIONS BY MICROPHONE MISOGYNISTS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 31, 26 January 1940, Page 48

CANDID CONFESSIONS BY

MICROPHONE MISOGYNISTS

(1) What are your real views about marriage? Are you keen about it, and what is your age? Des Lock (1ZB): I have no views about marriage. I'm too young. I’m 24, John Gordon (1ZB ): Have I any views on marriage? Decidedly, but my heart having run away with my head, I’ve lost sight of my age, and I doubt if I’m really old enough. Guy Nixon (1ZB): lm only 20, so I have no real views about marriage. It’s only something I’ve read about in romantic novels. Rex Walden (2ZA): Marriage is like a plunge into the sea-a man either sinks or swims. But for most men it turns out to be one long dog-paddle. At my youthful age of

21 years, I find the prospect of marriage far too frightening after my so far placid mode of living. Jack Bremner (3ZB): My rea! views on marriage-well, I ask you! Listen, suppose you have never tasted caviare? I ask YOU a question? What are your views on caviare? I thought so. Keen on marriage? Frankly these questions are enough to make me keen about it. In fact I wish I had been keen on it soon enough to make myself safe from this cross questioning. Heaven forbid, however, that I should sidestep the issue. I suppose it would, or could be, all right, though so far I haven’t thought a great deal about it, and when I do, I get a bit scared. Age? I forgetbut I do know I was born in 1913, if that is any help. Ken Waterhouse (3ZB): Well, I suppose it is more comfortable to have your socks darned. Am I keen

about marriage? I hate my shirts to have no buttons on them. My age? The age of discretion! Brian McCawe (4ZB): I think marriage is an ideal state. Keen about it? Yes, but that is probably due to my lamentable lack of knowledge and my extreme faith in women, Alec McDowell (4ZB): Marriage is the anchor which holds a

ship to its barnacles-but barnacles are so stultifying. Agecensored. Kingi Tahiwi (2ZB): Keen about marriage? Yes! I can’t imagine anything finer than marriage, with a family. Old bachelordom must be very lonely and incomplete. Bryan O’Brien (2ZB): I have no "views." I consider happily married people very fortunate. I am of marriageable age.

Rion Voigt (2ZB): A delicate question, this. Sounds great sport. Prefer swimming. Age, 24. Geoff. Lloyd (2ZB): My views concerning this important matter are rather those of a critical onlooker at present. I would advise all young men to tackle it. I am, however, prepared to admit that I am afraid to try it myself. My age is 21. (2) To what type of girl are you most susceptible? Des. Lock: Most types John Gordon: Every type Guy Nixon: The glamour girlI simply don’t stand a chance with her, Rex Walden: In my experience of the company of girls, I have found myself most susceptible to those possessing great beauty. Jack Bremner: I’m afraid I can’t give a specific answer to this one. If, in asking it, you expect an answer such as " blue-eyed blondes, sleek brunettes, fiery redheads," or, say, "the quiet, reserved type, or perhaps the suave sophisticated variety," then I am sorry I can’t give a direct answer. In any case, there must be so many types that

Maybe " misogynist" is misleading, but the alliteration was too awfully apt to be abandoned. Anyhow, 1940 is Leap Year, and here the ZB Radio Bachelors tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about their views on marriage-and all that.

I cannot claim to have met even a fraction of them. Ken Waterhouse: Blonde or brunette, I love ’em all-provided there’s an aged and wealthy papa in the background (well in the background preferred). Brian McCawe: Girls with green eyes, especially brunettes of allure and sex appeal, besides a sense of humour and no illusions. Alex McDowell: Sophistication sublimated to a rare simplicity. (Wow!). Kingi Tahiwi: No _ particular type. Rion Voigt: I don’t know any to whom I’m not susceptible Brian O’Brien: I couldn't truthfully specify any type. Geoff. Lloyd: A girl with a complete sense of fun and humour. And one who doesn’t cook with a tinopener. (3) What trait do you admire most in a girl? Des. Lock: Intelligence. John Gordon: A dumb tongue, so that I can do all the talkingI seldom get a chance. —

sGuy Nixon: Her school-girl complexion. Rex Walden: Her ability to appear intelligent-when actually one knows that all women are dumb. Jack Bremner: What trait do I most admire in a girl? Obviously no single quality is enough to call forth sufficient admiration for a successful marriage, but many qualities can be summed up in one word "honesty," for if a girl is honest with herself she is natural and sincere, and you have at least a sporting chance of knowing what you are getting. Ken Waterhouse: Vide-Mae West. Brian McCawe: Generosity in the widest sense of the word.

Alex McDowell: Streamlined brain. Kingi Tahiwi: Sympathy and intelligence. Rion Voigt: Same as Kingi. Bryan O’Brien: A_ generous nature. It will cover almost any other fault. Geoff. Lloyd: Patience and cheerfulness,

(4) Widows are wonderfulor are they? Have they any chance with you? Des. Lock: Tl bite. I’ve never met one, which also answers the second part of the question-or does it? John Gordon: You're telling me! Not if I see them first.

Guy Nixon: Only if they’re wealthy. Rex Walden: Widows are all right, but their main topic is their arrears of rent. A widow would have a chance with me only if she possessed both great beauty and wealth, Jack Bremner: For this question I will have to refer you back to Question 1. I know nothing about the subject, but I would point out that Nat Ayer, who wrote the song, "Widows Are Wonderful" has since retracted to the extent of admitting that "it all depends on the age and income of the widow. " Ken Waterhouse: You're telling me! Come up and see me sometime. Brian McCawe: No experience with widows under 30 (my age limit). Have they any chance? Yes-perhaps as a mother-in-law.

A. McDowell: I'm investigating! As to their chances--well, I do like a trier. Kingi Tahiwi: Depends entirely on the widow. Rion Voigt: The only widows I’ve known were old enough to be my mother. I’m sorry my experience is so limited. Bryan O’Brien: I’m not going to say they are not. I don’t know why any misguided widow should want to marry me, but a widow with the addition of a family must have a great advantage in the matrimonial stakes, if there is any such thing as competition in the marriage market. Geoff. Lloyd: Discretion is the better part of valour.