Home Science Training Abroad And In New Zealand

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18632, 16 February 1935, Page 10

Home Science Training Abroad And In New Zealand

THAI’ a thorough and Comprehensive home 'science training opens up line opportunities for a business or professional career for a woman is the. opinion of Mrs W. N. Benson, who with her husband, Professor Benson, of Otago University, arrived in Melbourne by R. 1.1.8. Ormonde after spending IS months in England. < Before her marriage Mrs Benson was dean of the home science department at Otago University and, retaining sfill an active interest in its work, site took special care to see as much as possible of the work d’one by similar bodies in England. She has returned convinced that the New Zealand course of study can compare more than favorably with that: given at the English domestic science centres.

lit many phases of the work she said New Zealand could lead the way. For example then* is the valuable extension work carried out there by the home science department, which, Mrs Benson explains, exists to Help, country women with advice anil information on any topic that is -concerned ,villi the management of the, home or rite retiring of children. In addition this extension department, has a special travelling stall - I hat visits the different country centres once a year. Comprehensive Course.

A graduate of Cambridge University, Airs Benson went to Otago University ns lecturer in chemistry and bio-chemist ry in the home science department, which was then under the charge of Professor Boys-,Smith. Later die was appointed dean of the department, an otliee now lifild by. Professor Strong. The department, she explained, wtts established some 20 years ago, on the model of that at iving’s College, London, with which Mrs Benson was interested to find it. compared very favorably. The lour years’ course for the degree of bachelor of science and home science included the basic, sciences, applied chemistry, the study of nutrition, physiology, practical dietetics, in fa at welfare, cookery, garment construction, laundry work, housewifery, and house planning and decoration. “ Bitch a comprehensive course opens up many opportunities to women," .Mrs Benson said. “Our graduates timl little difficulty in securing positions as teachers, dietitians, institution managers, or as designers for dressmaking firms, while some have opened their own businesses — dress-making firms or cake shops lor example —and are doing extremely well."

While she was in England, Mrs Benson was interested to see the progress made in dietetic work in the hospitals during the last 10 years, a development that could be measured by the increase in .the number of dieticians appointed to the staff ot the ‘ • key ’ ’ hospitals.