WOMAN'S WORLD

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25300, 6 September 1945, Page 2

WOMAN'S WORLD

JAPANESE WIVES

"UNHAPPIEST IN WORLD" During the past two or three weeks much has been read about the cheerful Japanese who smile even in the hour of defeat. Those who have studied them state that the people of Japan are never more subtle than when they smile. Mrs Helen Moscicki, who lived in Japan for three years, while her husband was Polish Minister there, soys in an article in a London paper that in those three years she tried to understand Japanese women and to discover why they spoke of everything with tho same smile, whether it was flowers or disaster. "The- women seemed to live behind tho smile as though it were an impenetrable wall," she wrote. "To the Japanese woman, who, I soon discovered, is among tho imhappiest in the world, the highest achievement, and often an expression of great heroism, is to bear every sorrow and misfortune with a smile." The writer described the Japanese woman as obedient, artificial and, because of her training and environment, completely devoid of enterprise or individuality. In law she is not regarded as a person. When she marries she has no legal status whatever. She cannot divorce .her husband, but he can divorce her (simply by sending her.back lo her family. Whatever her family's position, tho wife is always a slave. She is the first to rise in the morning and the last to retire. Even her pleasure in her children is restricted because according to the law they belong only to her husband. "Once in a long while, when a Japanese wife can endure her life no longer, she tries to break away, but her attempt usually ends in the most abysmal tragedy," Mrs Moscicki wrote. "The only sure release is suicide and after living in Japan for several years one understands why self-destruction is surrounded with a halo of poetry. The fashionable spots for suicides are always picturesque. MADAME ELSA STRALIA DEATH IN MELBOURNE The death has occurred in Melbourne of Madame Elsa Stralia, the well-known Australian singer. Madame Stralia, who in private life was Airs A. T. Christensen, spent 25 years of her career abroad and was associated with many celebrities. Among them was the famous American singer, Richard Crooks, who made his debut at the New York Metropolitan Opera, Madame Stralia appearing in the same programme. Daughter of a baritone, Hugo Fischer, Madame Stralia was born in Adelaide. After winning several Australian scholarships, she studied first in Milan and then in London and appeared at C'ovent Garden in 1913. Later, she appeared at leading European opera houses. She toured Australia in 1925 and again ton years later. During a concert tour of New Zealand, Madame Stralia met Mr A. T. Christensen, of Patea, to whom she was married later in Sydney. With her husband she returned to Auckland, where Mr Christensen died. She lived in Auckland for about nine years, and returned to Australia last year. Her death, at 64, occurred after a long illness. VEGETABLE GROWING PLANTING IN ROTATION The necessity for continuing crops in home vegetable gardens was stressed by Mr J. A. McPherson, superintendent of parks, in an address at the monthly luncheon meeting of the New Zealand Women's Food Value League held yesterday in the Fabian Club rooms. The avoid a glut at any one season, Mr McPherson recommended the sowing of vegetables that matured at different times. This would make a supply available through to autumn and winter when prices were high. By rotating leaf, root, lentil and tuber crops the maximum amount of vegetables could be grown. HOME SCIENCE SCHOOL LARGE NUMBER OF STUDENTS News of latest developments in the Home Science School was given by Dr Elizabeth Gregory, Dean oif the Home Science School, Otago University, in an address to members of the Auckland branch of the Home Science Alumnae at a meeting at the home of Mrs A. L. Caughey, Remuera. Dr Gregory mentioned particularly the increase in the number of graduates doing research work and also referred to the proposed plans for enlarging the school. Dr Gregory, who has been travelling throughout New Zealand with the advisory committee for adult education, also spoke of the progress of this work.

ORCHESTRA COMMITTEE (0.C.) HAMILTON, Wednesday In order to interest the women of Hamilton in the recently formed civic orchestra, a committee consisting of Mesdames H. M. Hammond, A. English, H. J. McMullin and lan Stewart was appointed at a meeting in Hamilton which was convened for that purpose. The Mayor, Mr H. D. Cnro, mid Mr It. Braitwaite, chairman of the borough council's cultural committee, gave details of the progress made by the orchestra. BRIDES FROM OVERSEAS The Y.W.C.A. Overseas Brides' Club entertained the recently-arrived wives of New Zealand servicemen at the fortnightly club meeting. The president, Mrs T. Derrick, welcomed the wives and invited tliem to accept honorary .membership of the association during their early months of residence in Auckland. A short musical programme wafj given. MAORI GIRLS' HOSTEL A report on the work being done at the Maori Girls' Hostel was given by Mrs J. W. Long, district president of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, who presided at the monthly [meeting of the Auckland district executive on Monday. Mrs Long said there were 2.'s girls in residence at the hostel. SOCIAL NEWS Mrs R. K. Alpo, MaeMiirra.v Road, Rernuera, has returned from Rotorua. Miss Coralie Taylor, of Wellington, is the guest of Mrs Hrittain Bull, Parkside Street, St. Ilelier's Bay. Mrs 15. M. Kdkins, of Kerikeri, arrived in Auckland yesterday to visit her mother, Mrs Wilfred Rathbone, St. Stephen's Avenue. ENGAGEMENTS Breach Maxwell.—Mr and Mrs A. H. Maxwell, ill Hamilton East, announce the en Kate me lit of their only daughter, Jean Lillian, tii Jack, only son of Mr and Mrs A. J. Breach, of Hamilton East. Brewster —Williamson, —The engagement is announced between Percy .Tames, only son of Mr and Mrs P. J. Brewster, Nuhaka. Havvke's Bay, arid Marie June, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs A. W. Williamson, Awapuni Road, Gisbornc. McGrane —Hew9oti,—The engagement is announced between John Reginald, only Ron of Mrs G. I- McGrane and the late Mr J. T. Mc.Orano, of Stanley Bay, and Leslie Elizabeth, younger daughter of Mr nnd Mrs J. C. Hcwson, of Mission Bay.