GOOD HOUSEKEEPING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18565, 24 November 1923, Page 6 (Supplement)

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING.

" Efficient housekeeping is one of the roots of conjugal happiness," says Arnold Bennett. "The day will arrive when a wife who muddles any branch of the management of her house will be branded as the cheat and the waster which she clearly is." It is noticeable that he omits the reason why many Englishwomen fail so lamentably in the homo. Housewives of European nations have long maintained an invulnerable reputation for the exemplary manner in which they conduct their home. To them, housekeeping is a question of honour, and is to be upheld at all costs. Frenchwomen and, in fact, the women of practicably every alien race, have the enviable faculty of bringing all the genius they command to their home work. Their hearts are invariably in their work, and they desire to excel. They are born to it, and brought up to it. Furthermore, they have an additional incentive. Their men applaud their efforts, 'and are almost childishly delighted with the fare set before them.

On the other hand, the Englishman is of all Rations t T ie least greedy. ITo balance this he is also singularly unappreciative when good things happen to him.

Undeniably there are few Englishwomen to-day who do not inwardly, and sometimes outwardly, chafe at ■ the task that has been iforced on them. To their minds, housekeeping is an inevitable and a (monotonous burden, which must bo carried through at all s costs. How regrettably true it is that where the heart is not tii« results are seldom wholly satisfactory.

SUMMER FLOUNCES. The flounced frock is rapidly gaining favour lor the real summery garment. The -fabrics this season seem to lend themselves to flounces; largely, of course, because the organdi, fanciful crepes, and foulards that are being now used are of the period associated with the vogue of panniers and flounces. The plainer materials will be made up with somo form of pleating, for nlthough the season's fashions are of peculiarly youthful genre, it is significant that there are always some subtle touohes of smartness added in the way of pleated trills, buttons, pipings of contrasting colours, ribbon binds, or hem-stitching. The stra-gnt up and down garment makes wav for more interesting forms of dress. Ribbons and sashes play an important part in determining the silhouette, so often is the straight line broken by large fantastic bows that acclaim the bustle of the eighties, but is so graceful and chic that it bears but little resemblance to its prototype. The youthful and summery appearance of a toilette is largely determined by the shade selected. All tones of orange and. rust, will be seen in the early models, and although they are essential'/ autumnal in conception, the prettiest country and seaside crepolines and printed crepes show these ultra-bright hues. Naturally, women are more likely to indulge in such shades when choosing the lighter, summery, and inexpensive kind of dress ; whereas, for more practical and sombre occasions, sober colours would be more correct and of practical value.