WOMEN'S PARLIAMENT.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 588, 17 August 1909, Page 3

WOMEN'S PARLIAMENT.

THE CONFERENCE AT BRISBANE. . VALUE OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. The Commonwealth Conference of the Women's Anti-Socialistic Organisations was held at Brisbane recently under the presidency of .Mrs. Youl (N.S.W.), A paper on home-building was contributed by Mrs. .Jlosclcy (Now South Wales). She regarded this question as one of national importance, and not merely one for the womenj kind. Tho science of domestic economy included all that went to build up 'a strong race physically. AVhilo tho intellectual and spiritual part of,a man was widely affected by his physical nature, homo economics needed quite as much brain power as tho study of any other science. To show how this science had fallen into disrepute she mentioned that , at a school in England where domestic economy was an optional subject, only 10 had tho courage to take it up, and they were termed "The Duffers." Men, as a rule, imagined, that every, woman know by intuition how to manage a home''and bring up children. It seemed to the man—because he had no practical knowledge of this work —quite an easy matter, and bo was very much aggrieved if all did not work smoothly at all times. (Laughter.) To be a thorough housewife, Mrs. Moseloy proceeded, a woman must have some knowledge of the following subjects: The nature, nutritive constituents,' and relative value of foods, the functions of varied foods, the amount and kind of food required in health and sickness by persons of various ages and occupations. They should also have some'knowledge of architecture, physiology, sanitation, and the precautions against disease. , The ■ housekeeper must also know how to spend money to. the best advantage !(Cheors.) She specially advocated the teaching of domestic economy in all schools, and more advanced schools for finishing. ■ The system in New, South Wales primary schools was fully outlined. < In concluding, she said, _"If we could but realise the enormous power and influence that is now often dormant, but that could be' made active for good, tha,t is in the hands of women, we should not rest until our ideal is attained, which-is to train all women to use their,best powers'and th'eir highest-: intelligence in the fulfilment of their duty: as house-mothers. By those means they will take their place, not only as Em-pire-builders, but as Empire conservers. In no other way can wo serve our country.or, advance her interests with such great and far-reaching results." . \ .. '

Mrs. Bogue'Luffman (N.S.W.) opened the discussion on this question. She, felt strongly that there was'great'need for women architects. (Cheers). Her first experience of colonial kitchens was a_n instrument of torture known as a colonial oven. (Laughter.) Now, if women. had vcoutrol of things we should never sec such a monstrosity. , CRrriowed laughter.) Women ought'to agitate strongly until they got cooking brougiit to the door, of every schoolgirl in the State. Men spent a lot of money on all'sorts of tomfoojery,instead of on school cookery.' They were starting a cqllego in Sydney for the teaching, of domestic- economy, and it would soon bo in good working order. (Cheers.)

;Mrs. >Jenkins (New South Wales) thought the bushman was just as much entitled to a, good dinner as the city' dweller, and she wanted to see something done in the way of teaching the bush girls how to-cook; ' Mrs. Edwards (Tasmania) tbought that architecture for women should provido very lucrative .employment: She herself had taken a hand in modelling the\plans submitted'by the "architect in connection, with a houso her husband was building, and he being a placid sort of person' accepted ' them. (Laughter.) ~ ■ Mrs.. Moss (Victoria), made an' eloquent defence of tho bush girls' codking. She herself had lived 17 years in tho West Bogan, and she knew. ■ • , ; ■. v. Mrs. ._Walter Taylor .(Tasmania),'read an instructive paper explanatory of the' Haro system of voting, as it'had operated at tho last Mneral elections..., in_,; Tasmania.- Ex-i perieTioe had; shown'rery conclusively thero that from- a party- point.' of .view. it.was 'al-'i ways'a good policy to nominate as-manyi candidates as-tbere were seats,.:and,. secondly, to rote .'for,.the-full number, of nominated'..- »■.;'■•■■: ■<■. ..., .-,' .-..■' , v ,''.'| Mrs.; M'Xinnori (New South .Wales), . ; in opening-tho discussion, iwinted out that the Liberal" organisations in New South Wales, had adopted preferential voting in relation t:>. the selection of' candidates. (Cheers.) The great virtue of the system .was that' it had obviated the. possibility of three'party politics. ■;•. Several questions were asked.as to details of working the system, and as a number of. ladies appeared to be getting fogged over the figures it was agreed that Mrs. Taylor should give a blackboard demonstration; Miss M:,A. Ogg (Queensland), in-reply to a question, said that the Hare system was, to p. large oxtent, the'same as .contingent .voting against which tho Queensland women' ■had set-their faces, because of-the confusion likely to 'arise.. . . •