THE DOMESTIC PROBLEM

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 22, 26 January 1929, Page 13

THE DOMESTIC PROBLEM

SOLUTION FOR THE FUTURE

Within tho past few months tho Head Teachers' Association of the Victorian Secondary Schools has outlined a progressive movement, tho purpose of which is to raise homecraft to the standard of a; profession (states an exchange).

In order to put their views before' parents and the senior "girls at the secondary schools, Mrs. James Weatherley, of Tasmania, who is an expert in such matters, addressed a well-attended meeting at St. Catherine's School for girls, Toorak, on Thursday afternoon, loth November, and in due course she .will visit other leadiug schools foV the same purpose. The gist of her address was that homecraft will provide a form of occupation for girls who are not actuated with a desire to go on to the university, and who'show no inclin ation for either tho teaching or nursing , professions. Tlie professional aspect directly concerns those who have to earn their living, but this special branch of education is also for those who, after leaving.school, will have their activities centred in their own homes. Mrs. Weatherley pointed out that tho housekeeping traditions of previous generations did not fit in with modern ideas, for they were too laborious. Women of to-day have duties outside their homes, and-much,of the time which pur grandmothers spent in keeping house has to bo utilised, in other ways. So with systematised training and labour-saving appliances it is thought that girls of to-day could bo just as-thorough in the house, that the work would not bo irksome ox tedious, and that there would bo just. as much time for pleasure, and everyone would be satisfied and happy. While admitting the excellence of the training now obtainable at the State Technical School, Mrs. Weatherley expressed tho opinion that it could be simplified. Most of tho' students at tho 'technical schools were anticipating being teachers or demonstrators. This was of course a fine object, but poeple living in ordinary circumstances in ordinary homes did not want . the perfect scientific methods so much as to be able to keep house comfortably and sensibly without the wonderful appliances which are found in only a few homes. In order to get this commonplace but methodicaltraining the idea is to have a hostel from which the students would go to tho Emily M'Pherson College of Domestic Economy for special training in housecraft, laundry, and so "on. They would go to the baby, health centres/creches, and free kindergartens for baby welfare training, and also .to the St. John Ambulance for a first-aid, course. The hotsel would be tho practising school, and it would be, as far as was possible without husbands and babies,,tho ideal home. ■•'■'■ ■

Such in Imcf is'tho plan which the Head Teachers' Association hopes will solve the domestic problem for a futuregeneration. ' :