“FRYING PAN” WIVES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3834, 21 August 1928, Page 4

“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 “frying pan” 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 ever-increasing popularity of bridge, mahjongg, and golf for women in the afternoon is the reason for 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 house-wife 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 bellied the Limbless Soldiers’ Association to the extent of £196, believes that it is the duty of every wife to be home 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.”

Miss Ruth Beale said: “Judging by the success of ham and beef shops in Sydney, I would say that the house-wives in Sydney feed their husbands at dinner time on the .most expensive meal —hot cooked food from shops. But there is a majority who arrange "then’ kitchen work with such precision and such excellent organisation that the vegetables, potatoes, and sweets are prepared during 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.