TOO MANY WOMEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20306, 13 July 1929, Page 3 (Supplement)

TOO MANY WOMEN.

SCARCITY OF. HUSBANDS,

MATCHMAKING IN FRANCE, One novel result of the Great War is the prosperity of the matrimonial agencies in France to-day, says a Paris correspondent. It is estimated that there are 2,000,000 more women than men of marriageable age in France ns a result of the war. Men are at a premium—and a five-fold increase in matrimonial agencies since the war is the result.

In Paris periodicals devoted to finding mates for lonely men and women are enjoying tremendous sales. They are as a rule of gaudy appearance, the cover portraying such pictures as a smiling bride in gorgeous costume, or a happy mother playing with her children. Typical advertisements read:—

" Lonesome blonde, aged 29, with 50,000 francs, seeks a serious man, any age, of good character, who might make her happy in marriage." " Sentimental brunette, not (yet 40, with a home in the country, would be disposed to consider marriage with a retired business man. Must be fond of music and children."

The advertisements in the farm periodicals which circulate in the country are more practical. In these the parents generally bluntly state the dowry, saying they will marry their daughter to an experienced farm-hand. Many of the rural advertisements specify that the applicants must bo religious, and handy at milking cows. Often tho prospective husbands must show their worth by working on the farm for several months before getting the daughter in marriage. The matrimonial business is developing on modern lines. Some of the agencies give dances and parties, to which men are invited, not knowing that they are to be appraised as prospective husbands. The agencies make their income strictly on results. If a marriage results the agency gets a commission based on the financial value of the match.