BURDENS ON HOUSEWIVES

Hutt News, Volume XXI, Issue 50, 9 June 1948, Page 9

BURDENS ON HOUSEWIVES

Mrs. F. Forbes Gilmore, president of the Wellington Association, asked if Hutt Valley housewives were satisfied with bread deliveries, and on being told by several of those present that they were she said that the Wellington Association was against the increased cost of bread for delivery, considering that the bakers were doing well enough with the present subsidy. The Association also wanted a standard size for bread and small cakes; the price of the latter had gone up, yet in many cases the cakes were smaller. When paying for a lib, 21b or 41b loaf housewives should get bread of that weight. If the women were running things they would make a uniform price, which would be fair to everyone.

More Eggs Wanted

Effect on Women's Health

In Australia, continued Mrs. Gilmore, the women forced the Government to pass legislation compelling the restoration of deliveries. In New Zealand the Price Tribunal would not give a guarantee of deliveries. Recently Dr. Doris Gordon had stated that a great deal of illhealth among young married women was caused by the fact that they were forced to carry heavy household supplies.

Referring to electricity Mrs. Gilmore said that though the electric power position had improved there was no doubt that cuts would be enforced again when a dry period was experienced. The shortage was due to the policy of industrialisation adopted by the powers-that-be without having prepared for the increased power required by industry. In former years people were asked to install electrical appliances, but to-day they were asked to be as economical as possible in the pse of

PROTEST AGAINST SHORTAGES AND HIGH PRICES Burdens on housewives under present-day conditions were outlined at a meeting of women held in Lower Hutt last week. Mrs. C. Natusch presided, aqd several members of the executive of the Wellington Housewives’ Association were among those present. It was decided to .form a branch of the Housewives’ Association in the Hutt Valley.

power. Eminent engineers said that electricity would not be in full supply for ten years, and everyone should save as much as possible and tints help to avoid further cuts.

Supplies of meat were also mentioned by Mrs. Gilmore, who said that people with only one or two ration books could not get sufficient meat for their needs. Chilled or frozen meat should not be offered to New Zealanders. If the law ot supply and demand was allowed to operate prices might rise at first but eventually cheaper rates would be reached. The Housewives’ Association considered that New Zealanders should get cheaper meat.

Mrs. Olliver referred to the shortage oC eggs, saying that the Internal Marketing Division stated recently that last year each person received 40 2s eggs—less than one egg a week. The number of producers in 194 5-4 6 was 17,000; in 194 7-48 it was 10,800. A remit from the Wellington Housewives’ Association was endorsed as follows: —

“That as the Internal Marketing Division has i’giled to assure an adequate supply of eggs we ask that the Division be abolished immediately and the law of supply and demand he allowed to operate.”

The meeting decided to form a branch of the Housewives’ Association, the following interim committee being elected: —Convenor, Mrs. E. B. Williams; treasurer, Mrs. E. N. Souter; committee, Mesdames B. Irwin, I. N. Souter, E. Harper, L. M. Davis, E. Gee, C. Natusch, E. B. Williams, Silverwood, E. Coleman, Tricket, Stoupe and G. D. Feist.