WHAT WE WOMEN THINK

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 23, 18 December 1931, Page 39

WHAT WE WOMEN THINK

oliday Parties. ‘ ‘VICTORIAN hostesses, who believed implicitly in the two-by-two method of arranging their parties, would be surprised to witness the, gaiety of the feminine gatherings that are a social feature of our day. The growth of women’s interests, and the incursion of the professional woman into all strata of society, render such a party extremely attractive, and certainly talk flows unceasingly where only women are gathered together! The women’s lunch party is a frequent: occurrence nowadays. The menu is light as a rule, feminine taste not running to the more solid dishes. And the hostess turns a careful eye in the direction of non-fattening diet. Grape fruit, rather than hors d’oeuvres, opens the meal. . Soup is regarded with distrust, so theguests proceed with the fish course, which is followed by pigeon or partridge, the repast concluding with a savoury so that the fattening creamsweet is omitted altogether. The clever hostess brings together women who may prove: interesting or helpful to one another in their business or profession, and often one of these parties marks the beginning of a valuable acquaintanceship. It is said that the business woman scores’ over the business man by the ease with which she can entertain her own sex-in her. home, rather than in the detached atmosphere of a restaurant. For Her: Own Sex. {OR the first time in the history of the English Law Society a woman gaye a paper. Miss Carris Morrison, speaking on "Courts of Domestic Relations," said the present state of matrimonial law and practice was in urgent need of remedy. It was chiefly for’ those people who could not afford to go to the divorce and chancery divisions of the High Court that a court of domestic relations, or family court, would prove a solution of difficulties. ‘ "T am fully aware," she said, "that the present is not a time for advocating further public expenditure, but it is probable that in a very short time the establishment of family courts will prove to be an economical measure, and effect a saving of expenditure in other _ directions by the improvement it effects. in the upbringing of future generations." In present conditions differences had . to be taken. to the police or petty sessional. courts, "Is it appropriate," asked Miss Morrison, "that a sensitive wife or a shy unmarried girl with a baby should ‘have to confide, in the first instance, in a burly police constable stationed at the door of the court, and only be admitted to see the magistrates. at his discretion?’ In the UWnited States the jnudge-of such courts was chosen for his tact and common sense. Urging the passing of a Bill to estab--lish such. courts in england, Miss Morrison suggested provision should be (made for the court to sit in- camera, ind that no case should be tried until the investigator had investigated the home and environment of the parties, For the Housewife. Here is a little hint which makes a lot of difference to floors stained — by an amateur. To get the best effect, |

all the cracks between the boards and all holes in the wood-should be filled up. Newspaper pulp makes a good filling. To make it, tear up some old newspapers into small pieces, and put them in an old pan with sufficient water. to cover them. Place on the fire, and boil: well, stirring frequently. When the whole has been reduced to a soft mass (not too liquid) it is ready for use. Will all the spaces between the boards, and between walls and skirting with the pulp. Allow the material to become quite dry, and then apply your stain, which will take perfectly on the pulp. The places where the ‘lines and holes

were will not show up in contrast to the wood, and the whole will present a perfectly unbroken level of floor which is easy to keep clean. Winning Woollies. HERD is no monotony about the knitted mode, No two models seem alike-there is a new "dash" about their fashioning! Coats can be long, straight, and slim-or short and jaunty with basques, belts, and quaint pockets. © Skirts‘are skilfully shaped or pleated. Neck openings and cuffs are also. very interesting. The ‘return of the polo collar is excellent in heavy wool.and for country wear. It has

a sporting look that is in keeping with the sleeveless sweater or the half-sleey-ed pullovers. Colours and patterns are adjusted as to selection for town or country. Neat designs and sober shades are always in better style for town wear, whereas on the golf course women can indulge in a riot of bright blues, greens, browns and red, and bold definite designs. . All to the Good. RoxaAr support is being given to a novel exhibition that is designed to awaken interest in the housing problem. Called "New Homes for Old," this exhibition will all be in porteble form, as after its first‘: appearance in. London at the Central Hall, Westminster, on December 7 and 8, it will then go off in a series of packing cases on a provincial, tour. The Duchess of York has promised to open it, and will no doubt be much amused at one of ‘the exhibits, which will require a penny in fhe slot before it will’ work. This is to be a moving diorama of slum houses being pulled down and flats and. maisonettes being built-in’ their place, At the opening ceremony the Duchess will stand in front of a: stage, which will be divided into. two scenes,’ one an overcrowded room with members of the housing’ societies taking’ the’ part ' of typical slum dwellers in it, and the other the living-room of a modern maisonette, furnished correctly, and with the former. slum family happily installed. Frillies. HEN one usually thinks of frills and tiers one imagines, something large and puffed out like an -eiderdown; but that is not true in the eake of some of the most femitine -dance and evening gowns whieh are composed solely of frills, tiers and flounces. Ko cleverly have these trimmings been designed that they give the effect of being streaimn-lined, accentuating the curves aud lines of the figure ina, «delightfully modest fashion. Where a chiffon or sitin material is used, these frills generally comprise the whole af the garment, but where a heavier mais used such as velvet, the effect is enrried out only .at: the neckline or perhaps at waist or hips. If one is choosing such a frock, and there is a wonderful range of designs and materials, care should be taken in the selections of colours: if one is not judicious in this matter quite the reyerse to a slim line may be assumed. Camouflaged: Cod-liver. JO oue likes taking medicine. No matter how well camouflaged its actual taste may be, still the mental part of us registers the fact.that it is medicine But the way: in which it is administered ofien determines the degree of its unpleasantness, For instance, many people find it « Oxtremely difficult. to take a dose of castor ov cod-liver oil, but here is a way that even children will not dislike so much. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon or half an orange into a medicine glass, swilling it well round the inside; put in the tequired amount of oil, and cover this completely with juice from the other half of the fruit. If this is swallowed quickly, the oil gets no chance to separate from the acid, and the distinctive taste of the fruit obliterates the odour and taste of the oil.