1935-04-06 — Page 9

No. 4

China Mail

HOME SUPPLEMENT

HONG KONG, SÁTURDAY, APRIL 6, 1935

No.

Make your own home

Impressions

I

read in the papers last week

that the Governor of New York State has signed a bill abolishing breach of promise suits on the ground that they have been made instruments of blackmail. Those who knów the abuses of this law can only receive the news with satisfac- tion. But this is only one of a series of legislations passed all over the world that cause us to reflect.

.

Before the war woman was treated with what seems to us an old-time chivalrg; and, it WAS thought that she was incapable of doing ordinary industrial work. The rich, of course,, have never cared for their women to work at all. But during the war woman appeured and showed herself quite capable of, doing things sUCCERS- fully, to the general astonishment. They organised themselves; they were to come into their own, und the work was to be all the better for it. But although they have received the vote, the right to practice most professions and a general ('emancipation," perhaps the measure given with one hand is taken back, with the other,

Women are no longer the pets of the law; but have rather come to be regarded as on an equal footing with men. Although this may often, he a good thing, it must' he remembered that the majority of women workers receive favour only where their present lack of organisation can be taken advan- tage of. And in such cases they are paid but a half to two-thirds of wint u fan would receive for the same work. The mass of younger women still regard works as un interlude preceding mar riage, und so seldom put into it the man's ambition and seldoor rise to executive positions. They are Indeed often deburred al- together from competing for such positions; so there is still n general belief in the inferiority f women's work. To get little more than half a man's salary means in reality that she has but that percentage of his freedom and his confidence.

But, though women have with- out doubt considerably enlarged their scope, the fact remains that there are still occasions when she cannot act in the same way as a man is capable of doing. And what special consideration she did have is gradually disappearing from the law books. She is being given a misleading status in law above the degree of 'equality' she has obtained, And the compensatory balance does not appear to be on her side.

Woman is almost abruptly ex- posed. Tradition is still strong, enough for the business woman to feel the general atmosphere of antagonism: she is expected to live, more timidly, and there is still unsiderable doubt as to the possibility .of her emotional stability. The business man. is free from these

prejudiced opinions. But the majority of women are still economically de pendent and these

women are

educated only in the fine art of individual spending; of industrial and economic functions they are, 'by virtue of their position, ignor ant. Are they capable then of facing a legal status that has ceaned to regard them as para- sites?

Phyllis Juky.

and vows

the

Nursery

THILD

CH

(By A. S. Konya).

PSYCHOLOGISTS and educators have so often' impressed upon us' the. importance of the environment in which a child grows up that their conclusions are in dan- ger of becoming platitudes.

All agree that the impressions of the child's earliest and most susceptible years will leave the deepest mark on his character. Granted this, and taking into con- sideration the peculiar conditions existing in Hong Kong (lack of playgrounds, the great number of rainy days which force the children indoors, the excessive heat) it is very important that the nusery should be not just another room in the house, but carefully planned. How should the innocent parent. who is neither a child-psychologist nor interior-decorator go about it? Here are a few points to observe.

A nursery should be airy and bright; everything in it should in- spire cheerfulness. Select, if" pos-

xible, a corner room. Dark and badly ventilated rooms will effect. the health of children even more than they will adults. The walls should be bright and colourful,' with pictures, or, if possible, paint- ed and stencilled wall decorations of simple style which appeals to children. It is a delightful pastime to allow the children to decorate the walls of their own room.

If proper guidance is available, they can paint directly on the wall with poster celours, otherwise on sheets of paper. In every nursery there should be a black-board 'with an ample supply of coloured, chalks, The furniture should be careful- ly selected: It should be easy to clean and of as simple construction as possible, with plain surfaces. and no sharp corners on which the children

cin hurt thmselves. Colours should be lively (within 'nste), so that the children can find leasure in them. The furniture in a nursery should be of light con- struction a sort of tay, as children like to use chairs and small tablos in their play.

A NEW MATERIAL handled with genius

bands of satiný straw hand manipulated and woven into the dashing new styles beloved of Paris, AURELIAS presents the 'capricious summer models 12.00 to 16.00.

Nursery designed by the au- thor in shades of pale green. Note the ceiling light in the shape of a merry-go-round, and the toy cupboard with built in blackboard.

The

Centleman from China

7HEN you take your dog out walking, both enda

of the leash ought to feel tem- prementally akin: you must be people of the same type or the partnership will not be an un- derstanding one. But then you may be interested in other- . facts about the Chow Chow as

a pet and friend.

He is a first-class watchman, for, as he is not constantly yap- ping, when he barks he really has something to say. If he's well trained, he's good with, children: indeed, being somewhat of a man- darin, he can even teach them manners. He is product of Northern China; and the blue Chow is China's sacred dog. They are dignified dogs, and un- sociable with strangers, though, when handled properly, they are courteous with people outside the family. With those they love they are kind, considerate, and extremely obedient; quiet and an- obtrusive around the, house,

of

'To be sure, a Chow is stubborn,, as he has a mind and judgment his own. He thinks And studies the human character; but few humans, understand this aloof and Belf-posseaned Oriental. His colours, are his own-the red of ancient lacquer, ebony- black, a dusky blue with a tongue black in startling, contrast," yellow and white which is rarer. His scowl, too, is his own, formed by the wrinkles on his forehead does that account for the amaz- ing stories told about his uncanny intelligence? Not The strange part of it is, they're nearly always quite true. In choosing from the little. Teddy Bears, look for a short back, dense coat, good bone, short feet and well twisted tail- and try not to hug this lovely young pet to excess!