THE HAND THAT HOCKS THE CRADLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3554, 20 June 1912, Page 5

THE HAND THAT HOCKS THE CRADLE.

WOMEN AND THE COST OF LIVINC. SOME INTERVIEWS AT AUCKLAND COMMISSION SHOULD INCLUDE SOME LADIES.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, June 19. £,9 Cost of Living Commission, which will meet at Auckland to-inor-l’OW, ha- been the cause pf many aheated controversy in the Auckland working-man’s kitchen and most of the fashionable drawing-rooms. Housewives are indignant that the Government should have such a Commission without one or two lady members on the board. “What do men know about the cost of living?” asked one of the leading society ladies from a “Herald” representative. “Do..they have to order the dinner? Do they know the prices of butter, beef, potatoes, and bread? They might in an off-hand manner have that ordinary acquaintance with facts, but can they realise how it affects the housewives’ income —the menu for table and nursery ?” “And what do you think of it ?” inquired the interviewer of an intelli-gent-looking worker’s wife. “It’s a shame,” she- declared, turning up her sleeves in significant manner. “Hero in New Zealand women have equal political rights and greater freedom of thought and action in all other social affairs, yet they appoint a- Commission of men who would know as much about making and pricin.tr a dinner as I do about the New Zealand Joan.”

“You think it’s a'woman’s question?”

“Certainly. Men may know about coal and timber, hut you can’t eat timber. You can’t eat coal. It is the necessaries of life that the Commission is largely dealing with, and I think we ought to have a hand in the business.”

“Well, give me facts,” said the pressman.

“Facts!” she cried. Haven’t rents doubled within the last five years? A few years ago coal cost from 15s to 18s a ton. Now it’s 325. Chops some years’ ago cost 3d a lb. We ar paying 6d to-day. Bacon used to be Bd. Now it is Is 2d. Potatoes at one time cost a shilling for 301bs. Sugar, tea —indeed everything necessary to the feeding and development of the individual—has practically doubled.” “Yes, but remember wages have also increased.”

“How much?” she asked. “Only about 30 per cent.” The pressman next questioned a lady of somewhat decided views. “It is an insult to the New Zealand women’s intelligence,” she said. “Why school us? Wily develop our brains? Why teach us housekeeping? —in fact, whv bring us to the dreary world at all if men are to inquire into a question of which tliev know so little ?” “Do you think this a slight on women? Will it have any effect at the polls should there be an election?” “I certainly do. Believe me, the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. Men, of course, do not obey. They acquiesce.” “ You mean that the women will order tlieir husbands to vote against the Government?”

“No, not order, just ask. There’s a difference, you see, and, believe mo, a woman always gets her way.” - A lady from England said she thought the Commission should immediately request the addition of two well-known ladies*—one to represent the labor view—as you call it out here. The other to speak for the other political class. Their expression of opinions would temper the judgment of the men, and in this way views of the housekeeper might he well aired and suitably represented.”