WOMEN'S VIEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10480, 28 June 1897, Page 3

WOMEN'S VIEWS.

OUR LORDS AND MASTERS. I think the writer of the letter signed " Felicitas" displays neither common-sense

nor knowledge of the question under discussion. If she has been fortunate enough to get a kind, thoughtful husband, she should not be so uncharitable as to suppose that those who are less happily situated must of necessity be bad managers, wbo,[if allowed to do so, would.throw their husband's money about on any piece of extravagance that presented itself instead of spending it to make home comfortable and attractive. At the present time I know several ladies, good sensible wives, who are treated precisely as " Fair Play" describes. One in particular, a personal friend, is a most excellent housekeeper—careful, saving, a thoroughly good manager in every way— yet she cannot buy a packet ol hairpins for herself without asking her husband for the money. Now, this is shameful. Is he not a despicable creature who will subject a good woman to such humiliation ? And it is humiliating for any woman to have to beg for what should be freely given, and the man who allows her to do it is not worthy of the name. The lady abovementioned_ has told me that no one would believe the inconvenience and annoyance she has suffered from this cause. Every man should allow his wife, according to his income, sufficient money for her housekeeping and personal expenses. It is utterly impossible for her to manage her house aright if she is not trusted with that much. Most girls, before they marry, have money of their own, either an allowance from their parents, or, it may be, their own earnings. What must they feel, if, after marriage, they are not at liberty to spend sixpence, when, at the same time, their husbands can shout cigars and drinks for every acquaintance they meet. 1 think it quite unfair. Perhaps some other ladies will tell ns what they think. Sympathy.

As you have devoted a column of your paper to " Women's Views," I presume you are prepared to publish them, even at the risk of wearisomeness. If you will allow me to reply to "Felicitas,* I should like to say how sorry I am to see her write on a subject about which she evidently knows so little. She says she and her husband have joined in laughter as "we read the account of the squabbles and petty jealousies at the recent Women's Convention," etc. Being in Christchurch at the time of the Convention, I attended most of their meetings, and can truthfully say I heard nothing approaching to a squabble, nor saw the faintest appearance of any jealousy amongst them. " Felicitas" must be aware that oar laws, having been made by men long ago, were made to their own advantage. Of late years many of these laws have been amended with advantage to women. There is still much to be remedied, and whether they are a " laughing stock" for .the unthinking or not, these women are evidently in earnest in their endeavours to better the conditions of life in this colony. For'this purpose they are trying to teach " The woman's cause is man's, and they must rise or fall together." May I suggest to "Felicitas" that she obtain copies of the papers read at the Convention, if they are to be procured, and after reading them to state candidly if she can see any cause for laughter lin them. Ay Old Woman. •