OF FEMININE INTEREST

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 45, 20 May 1932, Page 24

OF FEMININE INTEREST

By

Patricia

OR the past five weeks a most enjoyable half-hour has been spent every Thursday evening listening to the talks of Mr. Von Zedlitz on "The Pleasures of Reading" (2YA). His lecturette last Thursday was on "Wiction," and, while speaking of some of the writers of short stories, he paid a great tribute to Katherine Mansfield, whose stories are "full of personality and artistic sincerity, and leave one jwith a desire to think them over." This tribute from such an authority as Mr. jVon Zedlitz would be appreciated by all New Zealanders, and Wellingtonjans in particular. Mr. Von Zedlitz’s concluding talk will be on Thursday, May 19, and all who are fond of reading should tune-in at 7.30 p.m. The W.H.A. is giving all radio listeners a great service, and it is to be hoped that their restricted sources of income will still enable them to carry on their good work in broadcasting, as all subjects dealt with have without doubt been in very capable hands. . "s : I HAVB listened-in recently to several plays from Australian stations which have been extremely well done, although the pleasure has been Somewhat marred by atmospheric conditions; and I would like to see some-

thing similar done in New Zealand, especially excerpts from the works of the great dramatists-old and modern. The absence of this was brought home to me through a visit to "The Playreaders" on Wednesday evening, when I enjoyed most thoroughly "Loyalties,’" a drama in three acts, by John Galsworthy. This play was first produced in England in 1922 and ran for 400 nights. I think that an occasional reading of a play over the air by "The Play Readers," if they could be induced to do this, would be an acceptable change to the majority of radio listeners. * & * ISS MADGH THOMAS, of Kirkealdie and Stains, speaking from 2YA on Friday morning, gave some excellent advice to the housewife. We all spend much of our in the kitchen, go it behoves us to make it as attractive as possible and to see that our utensils are in order and adequate enough for our requirements. Many disabilities in the kitchen and in the home generally are due to an unmethodical mind. In the kitchen, where it is necessary for so much of our work to be done, and ,the housewife has a justifiable repugnance to this room, let her look round and see what

she can do to brighten it.. There are many things that are merely useless ornamentation that could be discarded and replaced by gadgets of utility. There are many useful articles in the wrong place, and very often a rearrangement of the kitchen would result in much labour saving and a more pleasant atmosphere. I never fail to listen to these talks, for although much is obvious, many hints may be gathered which do not occur to one in the busy round. Any in doubt should interview the speaker or write to her, and she would be only too glad to help with her advice. = * & . HE representative of the Department of Health gave his weekly talk from 2YA on Thursday morning, the subject being physical culture and its relation to general health and development of body and mind. The department does not advocate violent exercise, which we all know is not the ideal process for the building of healthy children, nor for that matter adults. Neither was the system advocated which a generation ago made the parade soldier, although many will doubt if there were ever better soldiers than those who underwent such training. The exercise which causes -_

the gentle working of all muscles, tha fairly heavy respiration and easy perspiration are found in brisk walking and even gardening. This is such plain common sense that one would think there was no need in our modern life to be taught this, but still, were it not so the Department of Health would be as unnecessary as the speaker’s irritating delivery, which would be better received, as I have remarked before, if given in a more conversa~ tional manner. BG %* VERYONE is familiar with the expression, ‘"Nosey Parker," ac hich Wellington had an exhibition &#F 'Tuesday evening, when the curious and inquisitive rushed to town to see what the rioters were doing, after 2ZW’s announcement. The term "Nosey Parker" originated in the days of Queen Dlizabeth, when Matthew Parker was her first Archbishop of Canterbury. He had a long and inquisitive nose which gained for him the opprobrious nickname which still survives. This man was a human ferret and was always prying into other people’s affairs; but it was during his metropolitical visitation of the Province of Canterbury; in which (Continued on opposite page.)

1e irregularities and abuses of the reformed ritual were as meticulously examined as were the private lives, conduct, and morals of the parson and parishioner, that the long archipiscopal nose of Matthew Parker gave him the fame that still describes the inquisive, al (Continued from page 24.) * * s N these days of competition it is essential for a woman to preserve her youth and good looks by avoiding undue fatigue. Many housewives are often victims of fatigue through failing to use their intelligence. A great deal of unnecessary tiredness is caused by using poor and unsuitable tools, or paying too little attention to the conditions under which necessary tasks are performed. Bad light is a frequent cause of eyestrain and fatigue, Furniture is perhaps awkward and inconvenient. Sinks are set either too high or too low; tables are not adjusted in such aaway as to avoid unnecessary ventilation may not be satisfactoryA These are details the housewife could have put right in a very short time if she would apply her mind to the solution of her difficulties. She can almost invariably make some improvement by arranging her work more systematically, seeing that the conditions are more perfect, and "devoting her leisure moments to real rest. nt at * HE poise of a hat is much influenced by the height of the coat collar, and as long as furs are necessary, hats will fit closely to the head, and black ‘with white trimmings is voted the smartest selection. * * * K‘.OR evening there are innumerable ways of wearing the scarf. some of which are cut corner-wise and form a cape. The scarf mode, which developed into a shawl, graced the Court of Josephine, who practised many winsome ways with her embroidered "wisps" of fabric. All manner of capes and scarves are changing the appearance of our evening dresses. z= Do % FABRICS this year are a very important part in deciding the uses of a frock. Silk jersey is likely to become a favourite, as it is seen to advantage for evening wear, as well as for daytime ensembles. There is rather a craze just now to use similar fabrics-by night as by day. Possibly this is a movement for economy, also there are so many informal ways of entertaining, where rich fabrics would be somewhat out of place. * * A XonI0%. -WIDE scheme to bring lief to the lives of working-class women is one of the aims of Mrs. Margaret Towers, the Lancashire authoress, who is chairman of the new Southport Sunshine Guild of the "Chronicle" Cinderella Fund. Mrs. Towers knows the seamy side of life better than most people. She is one of the busiest voluntary workers in Southport and is particularly interested in matters relating to the welfare of women and children. With it all she finds time to maintain her distinction as an authoress, and her recently published ‘ hook of verse, "Clay-Upon Mine Eyes," has made a deep impression by its fierce commentary upon yices and wrongs. Musician, sculptor, psychologist, dramatist, actress-Mrs. Towers is or has been active in all these directions. She is also the authoress of a striking essay upon Epstein’s "Genesis." South-

tend ek port is said to be a town of lazy butterflies, but this is not so. In Wellington we have a resident who hails from Southport, and listeners-in to 2YA know how clever and versatile he is, ™ * * [Snr it remarkable how keen we all are on the subject of beauty culture? We would all like to be beautiful, but as that is a gift of the gods to a favoured few it behoves ws to do what we can to make the best of our very ordinary selves. As Miss Meadows in a talk from 2YA_ said, "To have a well-groomed appearance is half the battle,’ and veally with a little care that should not be ditficult. This striving after beauty of person has become a "cult," anil since the war establishments for this purpose have sprung up like mushrooms in almost every part of the globe. How different was the time not much more than a hundred years ago when a Bill was introduced into ’arliament in England which provided :-

That all women of whatever age, rank, profession or degree, whether virgins, maids or widows, that shalJl impose upon, seduce and betray into matrimony any of his Majesty’s subjects, by the scents, paints, cosmetic washes, artificial teeth, false hair, Spanish wool, iron stays, hoops, highheeled shoes, bolstered hips, shall incur the penalty of the law in force against witchcraft and like misdemeauours, and that the marriage, upon conviction, shall stand null and void. a a8 a WHILE on the subject of beauty, what about our dainty lingerie? Are we not lucky to have escaped from the clumsy garments of our grandmother’s day? I suppose it is the passing from the linen era to the age of silk that has had such an extraordinary effect on the social code in regard to the references to lingerie. When these intimate garments were made of linen or cotton, even to mention them savoured of impropriety; now that silky gossamer-like fabrics

— are used they may be referred ‘to Without shocking the most conventionally minded. Fancy our grandmothers speaking of cami-knicker, cami-bocker or panties; yet these are the lingerie vogue to-day, with nightie-jamas as one of the variations of the nightgarb. It is, however, necessary to keep a careful watch on the vocabulary of the outfitting departments for new words that proclaim the latest shape and style, for, to quote the words of & mere man, "This lingerie lingo is really getting beyond me." * * * NEW industry-mouse breeding-’ has been adopted by large numbers of women all over England, the skins to be used for making purses, which I hear are becoming very popular. They are supposed to bring luck to their owners, particularly if they are made of black ones. One woman, living near London, owns over 1500 mice of delicate colourings and beautiful markings. Some of her pets are to be exhibited in a big mouse show at St. Albans, when more than a thousand mice are to compete for prizes. The champion will receive a special prize of £20, and there are 20 challenge trophies to be won. Verily, the times are changing! % % * R. WINGROVE, of the Tail-Wag-gers’ Club recently gaye a talk from 2YA, which must have interested as Well as ainused all dog-loyers. This organisation, which is run without profit, looks after lost dogs, finds their owners, or otherwise « good home, gives advice on the buying of a dog, in case the intending purchaser may be "sold a pup," and arranges for accommodation which, don’t forget when you are off for your annual holiday: and see to it that Towzer has a good home. The Tail-Wagegers’ badge is "crossed tails," and their motto, "I help my pals." Dogs only are members of the club, but the owner is his sponsor, and any member lost anywhere in New Zealand has a great chance of being found, either by his badge, or through "he co-operation of the newspapers and the police. Suecess to the Wail-Waggers’ Club, s * * Miss WILKINSON has been giving a series of interesting talks from 2YA to lovers of ihe ferpsichorean art, which I am sure would help them considerably with the new steps. To-day women at home are wondering if "The Tilt." a new dance, will be the rage at the balls being planned for May or June. It is a spirited dance, and men as Well as women are fascinated by its rhythm. ‘The time is that of the oldfashioned polka or bar dance, synucopated. I am told this dance is "symbolical of the new age" and expresses the fact that we move in 2 more complicated Way. cS Ea * TPUE Free Kindergarten is occupying the thoughts and time of many women in this country to-day, and those who haye paid a visit to any one of these branches will come away with the knowledge that much is being done to brighten the lives of these poor little mites, whose homes in many cases are drab and neglected. It will perhaps interest readers to know that the 150th anniversary of Friedrich Froebel, the founder of this system of play-educa-tion for young children, is shortly to be celebrated throughout Germany. The house where he set up his first kindergarten is in the village of Blankenburg in Thuringia,