A FIELD FOR POOR LADIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2902, 27 October 1909, Page 88

A FIELD FOR POOR LADIES.

I The following paper, which has been 1 handed to us as- possessing a local interest at the present time, -was written as long , ago as in 1898 by a lady -who is now dead ! — Mrs Neil MacLeod : — " No reform., ever escaped ridicule m the first instance ; I am prepared for it." So 6aid Airs Rose Mary "Crawshay at the close of an abla and kind-heairted paper I on the subject of domestic service for gentlewomen, which was read, before a meeting of the British Association in 1875. Many years have passed, but the present writer believes that a very large field is still unoccupied in the realm of domestic economy - We often hear that women's sphere is home, and, on the whole, this will always remain true. Every home must be garnished, cleansed, purified, and renewed, week by week and year by year, with 'infinite pains and 'care. An enormous amount of detailed labour ie swallowed up in this way, yet few will deny that the work might be better done. But the question is, How could the skill and reI foiamenfc of a larg-e number of euperior women be brought to bear on household problems. Three things are requisite to : give such an attempt a chance of sue- : cess : (1) The formation of an enlightened opinion on the subject ; (2) the organisation of skilled household labour by talented influential women ; the systematic training of young people for this, as for any other important, profession. For an example of what can. be done by these means I would refer to a kindred movement which has been strikingly successful mm — the. movement for providing skilled and trained nursing for the sick. The" change of public opinion in this regard during the pasif 20 years i« truly wonderful. Tile organisation of the army of those who are prepared to take the terror out of illness and smooth the path to the grave is admirable, and the thorough training of the workers has been all-powerful .n producing one of the most useful social improvements of our day. Now, I venture to say that much of what has been done for the sick might be done for the sound by the employment of 6imilar methods. Opinion would certainly need much enlightening ; but the arguments brought against skilled and .trained house-tenders would be the very same that were urged against skilled and trained lady nuxsee, and the same answers would apply. Here are a few sample objections that would be made : " Domestic work is infra dig." This, and far worse, was said of nursing, especially some branches of it. " The work is sorroetinKs dirty s and repelling." This is most true of nursing, but skill and intelligence have ways of their own by which they reduce these evils to a minimum. " Master's and mistresses are often most trying." So are Satients and their friends. So were also octors in the early day 6 of the nursing movement. " The work contains much repetition and monotony!" But this again is emphatically true of nursing the sick. On the- other hand, th 9 things that weighed so emphatically with good women in favour of a life of nursing should also tell for housekeeping as a profession. "It is so useful — so much needed!" So is good housekeeping. " Rightly considered, there is -a kind of sanctity in the sick room and its needs.". To his sanctity is also contained in the true idea of a home. " Nursing requires self-denial, and I wish to devote my life to others!" Nowhere can . this be done more effectively than in the home. "It is very intersting!" So also is household labour. " Life and health are lost for the- want of it!" This is true in the home.

As to organisation, might not the methods so successfully tried in nursing largely avail in ar movement towards dulled housewifery? Honves and institutions might be started from which the workers could be sent out and to whicli they could return. Certificates and diplomas might advantageously be used. Training schools where longer or shorter preparation could Ue made for the pi % oposed work wou!d be a necessity, and thsir uniformity might be desirable. In the nursing world skilled be desirable. In the nrsing world skilled workers manage to aseociat© in harmony as far as is needful, whether they are technically gentlewomen or not, and lady housewives might conceivably be educated up to the same point. As to training, it is indispensable, though in some cases very little would he required. The domestic helper must thoroughly understand her work or she can be neither valued nor respected. There ie a rigiht and a wrong way of doing everything that is required in a househol 1. Good cooking requires the trained exercise of excellent qualities — patience, care, discrimination, adaptation of means to ends, a fine taste, watchfulness, and solicitude for the welfare of others. The health and happiness of the household largely depend upon the cook.