The Washington times., 1901-08-11
WOMEN OF new ZEALAND.
Novel Theory PropOunded at Their
National Council.
They Decide That More Brains Are
Required In Domestic Work Than
Behind N Counter mt a Machine
Some Other Matters Discussed.

| Some Other Matters Discussed.
| The women of New Zealand have dis
| covered the reason why the mill and the
| shop are so generally preferred to do
nestle service by young women. 1t is be-
! cause more brains are required in do
| nestle work than behind n counter or at
machine" This novel theory was pro-
| pounded at the recent convention of the
National Council of New Zealand Women.
| Among the subjects discussed. we're: The
Importance OF having technical education
provided by the State. human betterment,
| the domestic service problem, and the
4 economic independence of women
one speaker seid that the want OF adap-
| liability in the ordinary workman was due
| 10 the one sided nature of the educational
| system. She urged that compulsory con-
| tinuation classes should be he'd in the
evening; this would be a means OF clear
| ing the streets Of many of the young peo-
pie who frequent them. She referred to
the practice of sending children TO farms.
and expressed the opinion that this should
be stopped
Another thought that horticulture and
fruit culture would furnish suitable and
remunerative occupation for women, and
urged experiment in those directions.
In connection with the papers on HUI
man Betterment' the council adopted a
resolution to this effect:
That this council deplores the mill
tarism which is extending its ravaSes
over the world. increasing the burdens of
every people. fomenting national and in
ternational jealousies, and melting viru-
lent racial hatreds. The council consid-
ers that the difficulties between nations
70 hi Of =
ment. if mediatory methods be employed
in time. and it therefore heartily well
comes the establishment of the Internal
tional Court of Arbitration
IT was resolved also to petition the Gov
eminent to increase the amount of the
old age pension to 10 shillings a week.
and to provide cottages for such pension
ers.
Prison reforms were considered in this
section. and the Elmira Reformatory in
New York was referred to as offering an
excellent system for imitation.
The domestic service problem brought
forth the expression of belief by many
that if domestic science were taught as
other studies are, the feeling that house
work is degrading would gradually dis
appear and a better class of household
workers would be the result Several
speakers said that if mistresses had been
always properly considerable the present
difficulties would not have arisen, and
another made the statement first quoted.
The establishment of municipal laundries
and kitchens was advocated. on the
ground that if cooking and washing could
be simpiified much of the existing friction
would disappear
Another idea advocated was that all
young girls should be trained in domes-
tic science. The speaker thought that
mistresses would find il beneficial to do
their own Homework, merely employing
a trained girl for a certain number of
hours a day. From a monetary point
Of view she believed that girls were better
off in domestic service than in other
branches of labor.
In the discussion on the economic in
dependence of women. it was resolved:
THAT this council is of opinion that in
Ill cases where men and women are en-
gagged in the same work. either in the
.mploy of the Government or of private
Individuals, equal wages should be paid
or equal work.
The mover said that this matter was
me of growing importance. since women
we're entering SO freely into Industrial
life. But women had for so long such
limited interests that they failed to rec
gniZe the wider social claims. One of
he greatest difficulties was that SO many
Dung women are willing to work for 4
ocket money wage
The concluding act of the council was
o resolve: THAT this council approach
he Premier and represent to him that
he most sincere tribute that can be paid
D the memory of her late Majesty Queen
'ictoria is the removal of the disabilities
( the women of this colony as recogni-
on OF her beneiicent rule