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For the first time since its formation in 1854, the Society of Engineers has elected a woman member. Miss Annette Ashberry, works manager of Atalanta. Ltd., Fulham Road.

What a misleading word “new” is when applied (to New Zealand, remarks “Time and Tide” in a recent issue, or at any'rate to the male members of its Council; These fossilised folk— if Judged by their words; —in rejecting a bill to ■ admit women as justices of the peace trotted out arguments of a hoary antiquity which one has long since relegated to the Joke department. I wish space allowed of full quotation from an account sent to me by a reader who was present, which must bo read to be believed. Oh, ladies of New Zealand, be women!

What is It makes women rely on their own sex in some occupations and not in others ? It is not altogether sex prejudice, anyway it does not work logically. Thus many women still will not have women doctors, but women lawyers and bankers are often preferred. As chemists one would think we should like our own sex, but one Australian tradesman has stated that when a woman chemist is behind the counter the lady customer will often pass her by to go to a man. Brisbane has two lady chemists, however, and both are doing well. A woman dentist is often chosen by one of her own sex again who would not go to a lady doctor. Is it because we like' a quick dentist, but not a quick doctor ? Subconsciously we are relying on the belief in women as superior in lightness and smartness, but not in real knowledge.

The male housekeeper may or may not be desirable, but the male domestic certainly has his drawbacks. Anyway the ladies in Johannesburg are finding it so. In that African city the native “boy”—sometimes well on to twenty-five years is the chief and only servant. He works well, is not overpaid, and is subject to a law which forbids his leaving his position except under a month’s notice. Nevertheless, his docility sometimes ends, and unfortunately all stop work together. Thus lately, we hear, they have had a call from their tribe requiring them to leave at once for some important religious ritual. Unheeding the month’s warning rule, they have departed, and there is no getting them back. It is the call of the wild, “But not so wild as we' are," exclaimed one bereft housewife. BUSINESS WOMEN. An interesting little mention is made in a San Francisco paper of the “mental amusements” of the women in that part of the world. The writer says: An announcement of interest comes from the women’s banking department of the Bank of Italy, where a new series of educational meetings will begin shortly. The afternoon programme was to commence with an address on “The Laws that Every Woman Should Know.” This was to be followed later by an address from another speaker entitled, “Selling to Women.” Fifteen minutes’ talk on banking and business procedure was part of the programme also. This kind of thing would probably appeal to Now Zealand women as well as American, for there are many here who are placed at a disadvantage in their lives for want of more knowledge procedure. If this could be combined with instruction as to the proper procedure in conducting a meeting it would be an immense benefit, for there are quite a number of women who preside at societies’ meetings who have not the “foggiest” ideas as to established methods, and at times have been known to deal out a good deal of injustice in consequence, as well as accomplishing a considerable deal of muddle and confusion.

A lady expert will give a demonstration of cooking by gas at the Opera House (ground floor) at 2.45 to-morrow afternoon. under arrangements by the Municipal Gas Department. The public is cordially invited to be present.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MT19250623.2.8.3

Bibliographic details

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2714, 23 June 1925, Page 4

Word Count
655

Untitled Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2714, 23 June 1925, Page 4

Untitled Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2714, 23 June 1925, Page 4