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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 7, Issue 3 (July 1, 1932)

Our Women's Section

page 57

Our Women's Section

Careers For Women.

The other day I was idly glancing at a popular novel of the last century, when the following sentence caught my eye:—“We heard, with amazement and horror, that Claire had left home to take up the duties of a nursery governess.” I smiled with all the superiority of the enlightened year 1932 and sketched an outline of the pathetic careers of numerous “Claires”—forced by circumstances to employ their talents for pecuniary gain—in the only way then permissible—that thankless, pathetic position of a poor little nursery governess. Of course, occasionally the insignificant sweet young thing did attract the attention of the dashing son of the house or faithless husband, who tried to steal a kiss behind the nursery door—for which she was dismissed by an outraged mistress; but all too often she had to sink into the awful obscurity of some country home—though her gifts were many. Perhaps she could paint with a magic brush—what use? No woman slipped across to the Artists' Paradise, Paris, and struggled for fame in the Latin Quarter. Perhaps she had a quick wit and a ready tongue—exercised for the chastisement of her unruly charges; but not desired by the platforms and pulpits of the world. Politics! A strange and magic word to her. If she were of a literary disposition her genius was confined to a minute and carefully kept diary, or to lengthy amusing letters.

Do we realize, I wonder, the tremendous advantages of being born in the Twentieth Century, when every career has opened its doors to feminine devotees, when every talent you possess can be exercised, and, except at the moment, profitably.

A great number of the best novels of to-day are by women writers—no longer necessary to disguise one's sex under the masculine security of a George Eliot or an Acton Bell!

Women lead the way in artistic circles, in the “beau monde” of fashion, as dress designers, etc., and one of the most fascinating and interesting of all occupations has recently claimed its adherents from the ranks of our sex—the position of an “interior decorator.” Women, with their intimate knowledge of homes, are admirably suited for giving advice as to colour schemes, and architectural planning of a house for the convenience of the housewife.

We can say without exaggeration that almost every career once sacred to men has now been equally efficiently carried out by some women. Exceptions are page 58 engineering and mechanics, the Church and finance. Absurd to suggest that the more competent women should drive the less competent men from their positions, because for most women, the job is merely temporary. Yet equality of work should receive equality of remuneration, irrespective of sex. There are many careers for which, broadly speaking, men are more fitted, by reason of natural ability, than women, and vice versa. But a combination of the talents of both is ideal, and many business firms are carrying this into effect., employing women—where they can be useful and where they can execute a special section of the work—as architects, decorators, designers, buyers, demonstrators, secretaries and typistes. Everywhere we see them—at the universities, in the shops, in the offices—and still some in the homes!

The nursery governess of the nineteenth century, in her wildest moments, never dreamt of the liberty lying just beyond her reach. What, we wonder, will be revealed at the next bend in the road? “Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise.”

* * *

Fashion Note.

Have you noticed how everyone is knitting? We have suddenly become “Madame Defarges,” and instead of heads of victims, we are knitting our depressions into cardigans, caps, jumpers and scarves! New Zealand wool, too, from the nice fat backs of our own sheep—and excellent wool it is! If you haven't started yet, hurry up! Even the flighty flapper who only yesterday scorned the gentle art of knitting as suitable only for grandmothers and spinster aunts, is busy making herself the snuggest and most attractive jumpers out of vivid, warm winter colours—and so cheaply.

Get a pattern to-morrow—“Patons and Baldwins”' are the best, reliable and easy to follow. Choose a colour which suits you—which matches or tones in with your coat or with the skirt you have—don't be afraid of brightness, and don't be afraid of a seemingly complicated design. You'll find it is the easiest thing in the world if you do exactly as you're told!

Caps and scarves to go with your jumper are very much “de rigueur” at the moment, so knit away, be warm and attractive, and help New Zealand!

* * *

Your Hands in Winter.

July is an unkind month for the skin and especially do hands suffer from the coldness and the bitter winds. They become chapped, red and swollen—most undecorative and often almost useless from chilblains. Here are a few useful hints for you—especially for the housewife who is continually having to immerse her hands in water. No wonder they become tender and an easy prey to the winds of winter.

page 59

1. Always dip your hands in cold water after they have been in hot—to close the pores.

2. Use warm water for vegetables, etc. It lessens the likelihood of stains and ingrained dirt.

3. Massage the hands for a few minutes with any oil after washing-cold cream, olive oil, vaseline.

4. Wear gloves always in winter. Remember that if your wrists are warm you are not nearly so prone to chilblains. Hence the value of knitted gloves with a large, cosy cuff.

5. Keep your nails fairly short and rub a little oil round the cuticle every night.

6. Give your hands a little attention and they will repay you—don't take them for granted and complain when they suddenly assert themselves.

* * *

Marmalade Time.

This is the time to fill your shelves with rows of pots—glistening, golden marmalade for many breakfasts to come.

“The stream … Reverted, plays in undulated flow.”—Thomson. (Govt. Publicity photo.) Trout-fishing in the Waiau River, near Hanmer, South Island, New Zealand.

“The stream … Reverted, plays in undulated flow.”—Thomson.
(Govt. Publicity photo.)
Trout-fishing in the Waiau River, near Hanmer, South Island, New Zealand.

Here is the easiest and most successful recipe—you can't make a failure, even if you are the eagerest of amateurs.

Boil 7 “Poorman” oranges until they are soft enough to stick a pin into with ease. Take out with a fork and slice thinly. Remove pips, then take ¾-cup of the water in which you have boiled them to each orange. Add 61b. of ordinary sugar and boil all together for 1½ hours—steadily. Bottle while still hot.

New Railway Cars

An improvement which will result in greater comfort for passengers travelling by the 4.40 p.m. train from Rotorua to Auckland is the provision of new coaches similar to those used on the ordinary Main Trunk express trains. These cars are now attached to this train, an additional advantage being that the same cars are used for the journey right through to Auckland, no change at Frankton Junction being now necessary.