Long Working Hours For Austrian Women

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 81, 6 April 1938, Page 12

Long Working Hours For Austrian Women

In Austria to-day nearly every woman is a wage-earner. Only the very privileged few can lead the normal life of the wife and mother and make home duties the only job. Germans though the Austrians are, they seem to have preserved certain racial charaetertistics and lost others, so that sometimes the two seem far apart. Both men and women are very proud of their nationality and rejoice in the traditions of Empire glories. But a nation cannot live on tradition, aad post-war eonditoins in Austria have found the people ill-equipped to face them, states an overseas writer.

The Austrian nation is a learned and cultured one, able to converse on any subject, and more idealistic than practical. It is not a peasant nor even a working-class nation, but one endowed with qualities of leadership whether in war, council or profession. The women are more adaptable than men, so it is not surprising to find the Austrian women grappling with difficult situations and doing it with a calmness and a quiet determination that many of the men lack.

The working hours on the Continent are long; shops are always open by 8 a.m. One sees as many women as men aboard the early trams or walking quickly along the streets. And this is due to sheer economic necessity. Chambermaids, waitresses, shop-girls, typists, teachers, all seem to be happy in their work.

To stay in a hotel in Austria either in the city or the country is to find an ideal of service and consequent comfoft to the guest. Their interest in guests is most noticeable and they signify approval of frocking or adornment with a naive spontaneity.

Austrian women dress well, since they dress suitably, and, whilst shops are full of lovely garments smartly cut and well made, these arc mostlj' for sale to visitors. It is usually possible to guess the employment and the standing of the Austrian woman by her appearance, hat or no hat; apron or no apron; powder or no powder; high heels or low. There does not seem to be that uniformity of dress and hairdressing in Austria that prevails in English-speaking countries. Thus, a waitress, whose home is in the country, is content to braid her hair, and wears her embroidered blouse and

coloured apron with distinction. And Austrian women are both lovely and attractive, with keen intelligence and ready wit. Their absolute cleanliness and freshness is most obvious.

The constant prevailing need for women to work has naturally given rise to new conditions within the homes. Even the rich families of to-day can afford little hired help, and look after their own homes and gardens. Most of the skilled workers and artisans live in small compactly-built cottage that can be worked by one person. All other adults of the family can then be wageearners. The constant prevailing need for women to work has naturally given rise to new conditions within the homes. Even the rich families of to-day can afford little hired help, and look after their own homes and gardens. Most of the skilled workers and artisans live in small compactly-built cottages that can be worked by one person. All other adults of the family can then be wageearners. Sunday is the great family day in Austria; the one day in the week when it is possible to be together. By the rivers, in the fields, in the city parks and beer-gardens, and on the mountains, family parties are to be found. There is not much sport and games among the Austrian women to-day; work is too constant.

The younger ones play tennis or go swimming, and youth parties of both sCxes enjoy the greatest freedom picnicking together. Marriage comes at a later age than formerly—the economic situation governs the heart. Engagements may last five, ten, or more years. One does not meet many Austrians travelling in other countries.