Fairly Feminine.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 21, 28 July 1911, Page 14

Fairly Feminine.

Our husbands would really forget our existence if we didn't nag at them from time to time, just to remind them that we have a perfect legal right to do so.— Oscar Wilde. The brutality of the law and its stony-hearted administration was amply evidenced in the case of .Elsie Briggs, who, unable to adequately provide for her child, left it upon the door step of the Wellington Home of Compassion and remained in biding opposite till she saw the child taken indoors. For .this she was given 21 days in .a prison cell. Tho one equally responsible with her for the child's existence was left untouched. The yoiintr mother must pay the penalty of a vicious .system of society which makes it criminal for the poor to have children. When mothers realise that Socialism would remove the possibility of starvation for their children and would welcome every child that comes into the world as being a valuable asset to society. there will be found 'midst the workhig women enthusiastic fighter.; for the Cause of Humanity. The most awful crime, in the light of our existing ethical code, is to be born outside the paie of the law. The one who has had the least to say in the matter-tho child itself -suffers for that which it was absolutely incapable of preventing. A Wairarapa paper states that there is no politician who can produce a logical argument, against women being eligible for parliamentary representation. In the last analysis it will be found that all objectors their arguments upon sex. prejudices. ''The feeding and housing of humans, generally," said Dr. Barrett, before the JNT.C.W. in Victoria, " is left practically m the hands of women, and their training is very deficient. Even such things as light and air are so misunderstood that both are frequently excluded, and small rooms are lived and worked in, while the best room in the house is kept sacred as a drawing room. Speaking of " best rooms " : Have you ever entered a room that had a more depressing effect upon you than the socalled best room to be found in many workers" homes. To enter it is to get a dose of cold shivers, and the musty atmosphere causes one's head to ache. The pretty furniture and knick-knacks, the walls covered with photographs of family groups (generally wedding groups with much white ribbon and bouquets, the groom looking particularly un-com-fortable in a pair of white gloves, something he never wore before), are only to be looked at on special occasions. It is generally the best situated room in the house, but the family concientiously refrain from entering its sacred walls. It is avoided as if it were the bubonic ward of a hospital. Many unions comprising the Federation are passing resolutions demanding the alteration of the Compensation for Accidents Act so that domestic servants will be brought within the scope of the Act. Lady (wanting some wallflowers fo r bedding out) : Have you any "bleeding warrior. ?" New Assistant (inexperienced in floral nomenclature) : Well Ma'am, our foreman has two boys in the scouts." "He has about the strangest walk I have ever seen." "Yes, you see he was engaged to a girl who wore a hobble gown and just when he got so he could keep step with her she threw him down, and now he is engaged to a girl who wears a harem skirt and he is trying to learn to keep step with her." Woman to-day is to a great extent everything she shouldn't be. Invariably she is a slave to fashion, the "latest" being the main topic, of conversation. Through her environment the discussion of things that matter is very seldom indulged in. The average paper one picks up con" tains a "Ladies' Page." To peruse tha fc means what ? To become acquainted with "mole coloured gowns, dainty saxe blue costumes, chiffon, lace and ribbons " that adorned some gilded society butterfly. Nothing of the women of the working class. Nothing of woman's struggle for social and sex equality, matters upon which womankind's attention should be concentrated. Men are awarded the Victoria Cros s for acts of bravery performed in the hea* of battle, at a time when the atmosphere is stormed with currents of daring. Can their deeds .equal' the courage of the penurious widowed mother of a large family who fapes unflinchingly the battle of life. Her reward is the Cross o "■"vnnmic crucificion.