SHOULD WIVES FORM A UNION

Evening Star, Issue 19002, 25 July 1925, Page 21

SHOULD WIVES FORM A UNION

CHAOS IN THE EW

MUTUAL FORBEARANCE NECESSARY.

The married women in America seom to be in a very restless mood just now. Some of , them have been estimating their worth to! their husbands in dollars.

On this side of the “Herring Pond” married women have at times been valued at very much “below par,” whilst at others they have been “ beyond valuation ” (writes Mr 0. 0Baxandale in the Liverpool ‘ Weekly Post’). Some time ago the late Lord Loverhulmo, speaking of his wife, said; “After careful thought I am convinced that without her gracious influences there would have been neither Port Sunlight nor Lever Brothers. They came because of the confidence she inspired in me.”

It is impossible to estimate such women in financial terms, for her wages (if any), her pin money, are but a very poor part payment for her tirno and service in the home.

Though the husband is the wageearner ho should remember that his wife is a, co-partner in the concern, that she has invested all her capital in it, and that she should have an equal share in the “ returns.” THE REAL HOME-MAKER. The wife, on her part, should not forget that she is the real home-maker, and the responsibility thus put on her cannot be placed on a financial basis. A wife, as such, does not have any financial or monetary value in the world,- the only cash she receives is what her husband gives her, or what she insists on him allowing her. But whatever it be, however large or small, it is not full payment for her devotion to her husband and children, her companionship, for the care she invests in their home (for which she receives no yearly or half-yearly dividend), for the help, and counse she gives her husband so willingly. None of these are quoted in the financial news of the day, but they aro “ above par.” The average man is far too apt to take all these things for granted, to him they become “ cheap,” he considers them as bis “right,” and treats them accordingly. For many years past woman has been silently working her way into power. She now takes a prominent share in municipal affairs, she has a vote in the national elections, she has secured a firm footing in Parliament, and, as time goes on, she may become the power in national matters, as she has already done in home-life. Would it be strange, then, if, in the future, she, like the men, demanded “ a fair living wage,” formed a Wives’ Union, and if the standard wage, advocated by her imion ; were not given to her, that her union should order her fb come out on strike as the men do? WHEN MEN “ COME OUT.” When any of the men “come out” much trouble and suffering naturally follow, but try to think what would happen if all the ■ married women “ came out,” _ too. It would simply mean chaos, with a big capital 0; and worse, it would be “ the end of all things.” When all is said and done, if her husband is still the lover of former years; if there is mutual forbearance and understanding; if she is a real help to her “man,” and the children are I getting all that she can conscientiously

expect for them, and if she is duly appreciated by them both, then she is happy. The question of pounds, shillings, and pence does not enter into her calculations, does not influence her; it merely becomes “ a means to an end.” She is influenced by a far higher motive power, for it is the great love which fills her heart to overflowing, a heart ready for anv sacrifice for the sake of her dear ones, that compels her to do so much iiv t Diiougnt of cash payment. Even so, wo can, to some extent, estimate tier real value in “ the standard coinage of the realm,” for to every right-thinking husband she is worth her weight in.gold: or, to compare her with precious stones, she is beyond all rubies.