PUBLIC OPINION CAUSES OF UNREST AMONG WOMEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10001, 19 June 1918, Page 8

PUBLIC OPINION

CAUSES OF UNREST AMONG WOMEN

To tho Editor "N.Z. Times." Sir, —I read with interest Mrs Haverson's address at the National Council of Women. I am sure she is filled with a desiro to make women's lives brighter and happier. At tho same time I am afraid she only touches tho surface of the present unrest, and her remedies are only palliatives, which in practice would not work. Firstly.—At tho root of the trouble is excessive work and lack of sufficient means, which oppresses and strangles the great body of the people, whether men or women. The people are robbed on all sides, whether of their labour or products, by our systematic methods of adulteration. It was in a great measure due to tho introduction of tho factory system that men and women ceased to receive the full value of their labour. At the same time they were, divorced from the moans of production, for looms, spinning, and all the tools of their craft were in their own possession; they were the masters of their craft. A careful study of the ancient guild system in England will show how they were also protected from a system of profiteering and adulteration, under which the people now groan. If you advocate higher rates of pay for either women or men, so that they could buy those things which would lighten labour, you advance not a single step, whilst you place it in the power of individuals to manipulate prices by raising or lowering them according to that man-made and false policy "Supply and demand." The supply is here; the demand is hero. Sheep still grow wool and cows supply milk. Everything necessary for human existence in plenty. Labour is dear because necessities are dear. We axe living ftnder a false standard whereby everything is measured by a monetary value. The -ultimate welfare and happiness of the nation and its people is the standard which should regulate our actions and dealings.

We have an idea that work is the sole aim *nd object of life; this is not so. Results are what we want, and if by the work of a few hours wo could supply all our needs, then we should have time and leisure for men and women to enjoy the beauties of life, and have opportunities for research and study.

Women will have to taka up the study of hygienics, whereby th.ey may learn how to bring into the world healthy children, with perfect bodies and sane minds. She must make a perfect study of education for her children, for the greatest education takes place in the house "under the influence of the mother. During pregnancy, it is admitted that the attitude of the mind of the mother influences that of the unborn child. Later on, give that mother the right to olaim from the State equal opportunities for her ohild, that whate-ver his state in life he may fully develop his faculties whether on scientific or other lines. We aro allowing to go to waste ■ any amount of skill and genius, because at the present time, for lack of means, boys and girls cannot take up the calling for which they are each particularly suited, or have the means to exercise their inventive powers. Certainly have communal kitchens, hut they muht be municipalised, and don't lot any Government blunt your efforts to obtain them, by telling you that "the turnover will not warrant it." It is like the old woman who would not let her daughter batho till she could swim. Lastly I would recommend every man and woman to ponder over the words of John Bright, "The wealth of a nation does not consist in the greatness of her possessions, but in the measure of content and happiness of her people."—l am, etc., RUBY E. WATSON.