Sassiety Spice

NZ Truth, Issue 579, 22 July 1916, Page 2

Sassiety Spice

BY "M^Y DOT"

The biggest Insult, levied at the intelligence of present-day women who attend Parliament, was offered by Hornsby, M.P., of Wairarapa, when he drew the Speaker's attention to the presence of "women" m the House on Wednesday evening. This meant that women were allowed to leave or stay forthwith. The War Regulations Bill was having its second airing and, as women are more vitally interested m this measure than men, because some coarse-minded individuals feel unable to discuss that awful scourge, venereal disease, without offending women's tastes, they ask that ladles (! !) be asked to leave the Chamber. No wonder some women make asses of themselves on public platforms when they are not allowed to know what Is taking place In the Parliament of the land which is occupied by men whom they have sent there as their representatives. "Dot" had small time for those women who were full of suspicion as to what Parliament or the Attorney General, Hon. A. L." Herdman, Intended to embody In their precious will. She has now altered her opinion and yields to superior age and wisdom. If there is nothing to hide, why turn out the women? If certain members are so ungenUemanly that they cannot discuss Certain diseases — well, let's turn them out at the next election. Mr. Herdinan offended no one m his opening explanatory speech, and those made by Mr. Russell (Health) and Mr. Allen (Defence) were eagerly looked for by women as tending to enlighten and help them. Yet we had to forego them and clear when a broad suggestion was made at the Instigation of Hornsby, member for Wairarapa, and men of his lite! And two young boys were allowed to remain m the men's gallery! • ♦ • Some of the elite at the races recently cut very sorry figures In their anxiety to be up to date. They wore short, full skirts well above their boot tops and looked more fitted for the country cow-bail than the lawn of a racecourse. The leg of a woman tells a plain tale as to age just as much as does the neck. From the hip downwards to the ankle a peculiar "set" and "sag" takes place after the early twenties, more especially to the married woman. "Dot's" advice to a certain plump young Hobson-street strutter, is to take a reef out of her skirt and put it on to the bottom. She will look much better for it. A very pretty lady of title, whose husband Is an officer on furlough from the Old Country, looked pert and as pretty as a peach; and wore her skirts very short, but — with a difference. Her skirt was not TOO full nor TOO short, but just too utterly too, too. Her bright yellow fur-trimmed coat was very much In evidence, and some naughty "johnnies" from other cities anxiously inquired the name of the charmer. Her "Ex." of Liverpool stuck to her check suit of black and white and long fur costume and back and white hat; Miss Harcourt, mole-colored costume and black hat; Mias Miles, navy blue; Mrs. McCarthy-Reid wore most exquisite furs and fur coat and "chic" black hat; Miss Skerrett, ponyskin coat and smart hat with green osprey; Mrs. H. L Simson, of Hawke's Bay, was In a navy blue costume and fur coat. A bounoing girl wore a rich violet velvet frock with swathe and sash ends of amethyest satin, hat with white ostrich feathers worn on the back of her head. She, certainly drew the eye. A biiort woman wore a full, very much braided costume beautifully made, but too short and too full for the wearer. • • • Mr. A. E. Donne is the proud (?) possessor the most expensive pair of socks m the Dominion. They wero raffled by Mrs. (Dr.) Fltchett for £20 In shilling tickets and the amount realised goes to augment the funds of the Lady Liverpool Soldiers' Parcel Fund. Pity it is winter and too cold to wear silk socks or the girleens might be looking beneath the winner's — or rather above the boots — to see what's what when such expensive articles are worn by mere man. • • • "Dot" was m a certain establishment recently, and listened to a discussion as to the results, etc., of the examinations that had been conducted by the Women's National Reserve. Some of the girls had either presented themselves for the test, or had friends who had done ho. "Thought it was clerks they wanted for Government billots? said 'Ginger.' " "So It was said, but we think the questions were sot for fools, or budding detectives, retorted 'SmiJer.' " "What kind of questions did they give?" "Oh, something liko these: A few baby arithmetic sums In compound addition, also an application to be written." "Well, that's all right." 'Yen-, but most of tho work was In the ln»t and longest butch of questions which were rotten, .lust listen to thin: If you lost your hut-box In the train between Napier and Wellington, what would you do when you arrived at your destination?" "Now, what a foolish question." "If v girl cannot hang on tv her dearest possession during that short Journey, she is not (It for any billet, any where, i'vo travelled all tho way from England, third class, and ne>ver lost a thing, wiorted 'Srnller.' " "Perhaps that cjubh* tiun Is a bit over the odds, but where i1o«h the detective part come In?" "Why, everywhere. It comos In about tho loss of the hat -box. which would have been stolen, because only a foot would lose It, and It comes In another question very much indeed. It was something like this: If you come homo and found your house had been biiK-bugn — no, burgular, oh, hang It, Inirtrlar-oußly (fancy using a word like that) entered, what 'stops would you take?'" "Guejusf I'd take atepH, quick and lively, to get outside and call a 'bobby.' smiled 'Ginger.' H "But what answer did you give?" "Search under the- bed and wardrobe, etc., to see If tho bruto was still on the premises: rush and so© If watch, brooches and cash were m looklng-glajMi drawer and under tho bed clothes, and then yell like murder for the landlady and police." Much laughter from the girls, and grins behind "Dot's" veil. Evidently the academic idea failed to roach the practical brains of busy glrla. But. why should girls In good business positions be sitting for theso examinations? The work offered l«, or should bo. only for the duration of the wnr. Wo do not want to find all tho late Mr. Seddon's HplendlJ wor* j m the Interest* of Labor rendered useless, for useless it will bo. If our men J who have left good situations to go j nnd fight for ÜB, are to find a girl or woman, at half the rute of pay. m their places on their return. And li la ib« women of thu National Kenervo who must look to thin and «aye their military brothers In arms from cruel exploitation »» "Do I" has said earlier In thin page. • • • Returned noldlern are eomplnlnlng thnt very little opportunity l« offered them of obtuinlnjj clerical employment. owing to the number of ahlrkorn who uv« still occupying position* In many fUnin; ,»n«l, even where there have been vncjinclen. tb!?s«<? ii*Y< Mted by Elrln who ncccju a low ni;e of pay. What nro tho returned men *>0 do later whrsi t'wy return In tons of thouutind*? Can-

not some legislation be provided to compel an employer to reinstate an employee on his return from the war and who is bearing- an honorable discharge? Cannot the Women's National Reserve make a name for themselves m this matter? ../.'.'• • • .-...• ' V ■ The reception to the returned wounded soldiers m the Town Hall on Tuesday morning was an improvement on some recent functions. The reason of it was that Col. "Jacky" Hughes was with the men. Crowds of his friends and well wishers -were able to find time to welcome a "toney colonel," whilst they were too busy to happen along on many occasions to welcome plain, brave warriors, armless, legless, maimed and blind. However, it appears to be just the cussedness of human nature to be snobbish. The first batch of wounded French troops from Tahiti were with our boys and made a pleasant addition to the well-conducted, sad ceremony. Some of those bright, merry chaps from Raratonga made good with their queer songs and dances. They were going into camp at Narrow Neofc to train with our Maoris. Afternoon tea was served as usual by the usual ladles, with the notable exception of the Mayoress, who Is mourning tho loss of a clever and good mother m the late Mrs. McGregor. Mrs. Col. "Jackey" and her three fine "kiddies" were present to ace "hubby" lionised. Mrs. Massey and Mrs. Hanan were also present. Great interest surrounded Mrs. McArdle, a pretty young French lady whorls the bride of a New Zealand Sergt-Major on active service. Her father was killed m France, and she met her husband m Cairo, and is now awaiting his return to his native land. Mrs. McArdle smilingly received the notice and compliments of Sir Joseph Ward and Colonel Hughes. Sir Joseph Ward and the Hon. G. W. Russell struck quite a new note In their speeches, which were a refreshing change to their sterotyped orations. Lieut-Colonel Hughes returned thanks on behalf of the returned men, and made "Dot" swallow a big lump whilst listening to him. Mr. Spitz replied for the Tahitlana. He had been born a French Tahltian, and had never left the island until now. He felt proud to be amongst us. (Cheers). He thanked one and all for the reception given them In New Zealand. The "Marseillaise" and "God Save the King" concluded the proceedings. ■■".• : • ■ • The speech the Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister for Public Health, delivered on, the second reading of the War Regulations Bill, was the speech of a strong and fearless polltlclau and a man. Ke called upon the House to recognise that a great matter like venereal disease could not be trifled with. The only way to deal with the problem was to take the gloves off, and, Instead of hiding their heads In the sand liko bo many ostriches, face it and try to deal with It The Minister mentioned that In Ohio, people who were affected were sterilised. Also that the worst form of the disease prevalent In the East had not reached New Zealand so far as the soldiers were concerned. He cast no reflection upon the men In camp. They were probably as healthy as the same number of civilians. The dread disease was rapidly tforeadi'.-ig itself through the country and he proposed to deal 1 with It m tho following way;— Complete segregation of both mon and wo- * men suffering from syphilis; making It a criminal offence for any person other than a properly-qualified medical pratioloner to treat venereal diseases; the establishment of clinics for the treatment of these diseases, but In or- . dlnary hospitals and not In separate I Institutions; If possible female doctors and attendants for wora\>n; these hospitals to be open day and night; and, above all, an educational campaign throughout tho country. These remarks were greeted with applause. The only fault "Dot" could find m tho speech was an Indication that "a woman suffering from the disease should be detained until cured. Whether she should afterwards be sent to a reformatory was a matter for consideration later on." Now this Is where woman takes a decided stand. Women suspected or suffering, must be examined m a HOSPITAL or REFORMATORY and not In a GAOL, and by women doctors. Men and women should be both placed m reformatories where they can be self supported for a year or two— more If necessary. This is the only solution or tho trouble, oxcopt the regulation of the Bale of liquor to evil women. — [The Minister has since stated that he intended that only re* putod prostitutes should bo arrested.— Ed. T.]