“FRYING PAN” WIVES

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 August 1928, Page 8

“FRYING PAN” WIVES

INTEREST IN AUSTRALIA.

SYDNEY, August 9,

The remarks by Mr T. M. Wilford, in the New Zealand Parliament, that indigestion, brought about by “fryingpan” wives, was a cause of divorce, has caused great interest in Australia, where the Divorce Courts are always so busy. It is thought that the everincreasing popularity of bridge, mah jong and golf for women in the afternoon is the reason fox’ Mr Wilford’s summing-up of the position. It is pointed out that in Australian cities, at any rate, flats and modern culinary devices in no small way enable a housewbfe to enjoy her afternoon with the contentment that her dinner will need only a few moments of her attention on her return.

Mrs Fred Vale, a popular and busy society woman in Sydney, who recently arranged a series of bridge parties, which helped the Limbless Soldiers’ Association to the extent of £196, says she believes tfliat it is the duty of every wife to be borne in time to cook a satisfying meal for her husband. “It is a woman’s duty and privilege,” she said, “and I, for one, make a point of finishing bridge at 5 p.m. sharp, although some of my friends may think that I am disagreeable, to get home in time to greet my husband. Mrs Ruth Beale said; “Judging by the success of ham and beef shops in

Sydney, I would say that the housewives in Sydney feed their husbands at dinner time on the most expensive meal —hot cooked food from shops. But there is a majority wlho arrange their kitchen work with such precision and sudh excellent organisation that the vegetables, potatoes and sweets are prepared in the morning, and a casserole arranged when they are attending a bridge party in the afternoon. But, after all, most women are not out every afternoon.” The fact remains that Australia has more than its fair share of “frying pan” wives.