"ARE YOU A PERFECT WIFE"

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 63, Issue 2, 15 August 1941, Page 172

"ARE YOU A PERFECT WIFE"

Our Competition

]~~)ERHAPS your answer is yes, perhaps no—well, read what our writers 1 have to say on the subject. Entries in this competition were most interesting— were amusing, some were entertaining, but in all of them there were a lot of good points which could be heeded by all. Most of you disagreed with the rules drawn up by the American Women’s Clubso here are the rules drawn up by our New Zealanders. First prize goes to “Poppy,” Havelock North, second to “A Mere Man,” and highly commended we have Mrs. Caskie, Spring Grove, “A.M.D.,” Inglewood, and “Bluebell,” Temuka. This is what they say:

First Prize

1. Don’t marry unless you want a family. ■ 2. Love your husband as you love yourself. z 3. Remember that an untidy wife is unsightly in the eyes of her husband, and an awful example to the neighbours. 4. When he. remembers his mother’s cooking, don’t be —just smile in your heart. He is not really so bad when he remembers his mother. 5. Don’t complain about your husband to other women. . 6. Kiss and make up quarrels before going to bed; “hang-over fights” lead to the Divorce Court. 7. Let him think he is wise in everything, and let him have the last word. 8. When he suggests going places, don’t say you have nothing to wear. 9. Attend to his buttons, and always have his socks mended. 10. Always be civil to his lady friend. 11. Don’t complain immediately he gets in from work about the children and the ups and downs you have had during the day. After all, men are really babies, and the best way is to treat them as such. —Poppy, Havelock North. (Please send me your address.)

Second Prize

1. A perfect wife, should be well versed in cooking good square meals. 2. She should always see that there are plenty •of dry bath towels, hot

water," books, matches, and ash trays about in their respective places. . 3. If there is a young family, she should see that they are bathed and in bed before her lord comes home for the evening. She should be neat and tidy herself, then there will be perfect peace, as in the early days of marriage. 4. She must not be over tidy as far as the house is concerned, and should always remember that an Englishman’s home is his castle. She should not follow him about with broom and duster, confident he is made of dust, and to dust he will return. 5. She must not put the children before him in any way, but must remember that man is an eternal lover, and children have changed her, but not him. She should be broadminded enough not to be upset or jealous of him if he talks or goes out occasionally with a lady friend of the family. 6. She must be thrifty. 7. Even if she goes without mats for the house, of new curtains for the lounge, she should see that her husband faces the public in a respectable hat and suit. 8. Lastly, a perfect wife will try and remain a pal, not a dictatorial housekeeper, if she wishes to hold her husband. Mere Man, Te Awamutu.

Highly Commended

A perfect wife should be:— 1. A real friend, and truly share her husband’s joys or sorrows. 2. An opponent worthy of his mental steel, that is, be able to discuss intelligently current events, business, sport, or hobbies. Read up subjects about which she is hazyon the quiet. 3. A partner for all holiday moods, ready at once to go out with her husband if and when he wishes. 4. A tactful manager. Put the run- , ning of the house into the background. Make it a pleasant social place in the evenings, but one where her husband feels quite free to assist if he wishes;. 5. A good business woman. Budget all household expenditure, and keep within the limits of the budget. 6. A proud housewife. Consider her job as important as her husband’s, and worth the same amount of thought and care. ■ 7. Attractive, and dress as becomingly as his purse allows. Don’t expect him to rave over every new dress. Quiet, sincere approval of your general style is all that is necessary. 8. Fair-minded. Share the children’s affections, even if it means putting herself in the background a little. So many wives try .to make mother come first. Children should love each parent equally. To sum up: The words “modern housewife” imply that a woman should

be an economist, a doctor, a lawyer, an interior decorator, a cook, a child psychologist, a dressmaker, and something of a home philosopher. Mrs. Caskie, Spring Grove. 1. Don’t try to “wear the trousers,” and don’t be bossy. 2. Don’t nag. 3. Don’t sit down to breakfast in curling pins and dressing gown. ' 4. Take an interest in his work, but don’t overdo it. 5. Don’t belong to too many committees. . 6. Be healthy. 7. Don’t shirk motherhood. 8. Fuss over your husband sometimes, and let him think you are still in love with him (whether you are. or not). - 9. Above all, remember the old, old saying, “An ounce of honey is better than a gallon of vinegar.” , —A.M.D., Inglewood. 1. Be punctual with meals, so as not -to keep your man waiting. 2. Be a careful wife in the managing of the household purse.

3. Be bright and cheerful when hubby comes in instead of telling him all the troubles of the day. 4. Confide and share all things with your husband.

5. See that his mending is attended to promptly. 6. Don’t wait on him hand and foot; get him to give you a hand now and again. ■ 7. Let him have a flutter, and go out on his own occasionally; you appreciate one another more, after. 8. Be a loving and thoughtful wife, and you will be treated the same. ■ Bluebell, Temuka. A PERFECT wife should seek her husband’s advice when selecting her clothes. If she dresses entirely to her own fancies and ideas, he may privately think her a freak and avoid as far as possible being seen in her company. If he prefers to keep his business affairs to himself, then let him. He did not choose his relatives, and cannot answer for them; therefore be charitable in your criticisms. Do not dwell on your aches and pains, real or imaginary. The habit may become chronic, and, after all, the man of your choice may have more to endure than you dream of, yet hides it with a smile. Be Unhappy Jack, Gisborne.

THE PERFECT WIFE.

Perhaps Myrna Loy, Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer star, does not measure up to all the rules set out in this competition— perhaps she does—but nevertheless she is popularly known as “The Screen’s Perfect Wife.”