THE FORGOTTEN HOUSEWIFE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24141, 6 December 1941, Page 10

THE FORGOTTEN HOUSEWIFE

The forgotten man of the American politician is to be replaced in this commurtity by the forgotten, women—or rather housewife—at the season when thought for others is supposed to be uppermost in every mind. The decision of the bread carters not to work on the Saturdays of the Christmas and New Year week-ends has been denounced as disregarding the terms of their own award, as defying the law, and as flouting the views of their employers and of the bakehouse operatives. The real weight will fall on the community, and especially on the thousands of caterers to the home, Auckland's housewives. With no fresh bread from Wednesday to Monday, no fresh meat for the same period, and possibly other difficulties yet to be revealed, the'chances of a merry Christmas and a happy New Year will be considerably clouded for many a wife and mother. These things are not trivial. They will be felt most in the homes where modest means rule out the possibilities of refrigerators, ample storage room and other methods of overcoming domestic difficulties. No meat will be available during the holiday season because, as the master butchers point out, there will be no slaughtering or wholesale delivery in that period. Just why, or for whose benefit, has not been explained. Beneath it all lies a selfish determination to be at ease, without regard to others. In both instances people who have an implied obligation to serve the public are ignoring their duty. That is not a healthy social symptom, especially remembering that the principal victim will be the woman in the home. . >