TOPICS FOR WOMEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 106, 31 October 1936, Page 19

TOPICS FOR WOMEN

By M.H.C,

The Scheme of Things

What an odd world it seems at times. Vijen an observant person looks around it .is plain to be seen on all sides that the assistance of women is called upon whenever money-raising efforts are needed. There are so many good causes in the world; humanity needs succour in all directions; institutions need assistance, starting with the churches. Allied to these are all kindly institutions such as orphanages, homes of various kinds, health and educational efforts, peace at home and abroad. One could go on enumerating these things, and yet not come to an end of the way in which the efficient and' generous assistance of women is not called upon. Yet, there still remains in the world a man of the mentality of a Mr. George Little, who, when overwhelmingly victorious in an election finds himself impelled to shout to the world that his great victory should prevent any woman from ever standing for a position at a London municipal election.

It does not appear to have been an election which caused a great deal of interest as only 346 votes were cast in all. Of these, he secured 330. The other candidate was • handicapped with a foreign name (that of Elsa Vagolini), which probably went against her' in an election for a notably conservative constituency. She may also have had no influence among voters, and possibly also may have been too poor to make canvassing possible. It does not, on the lace of things, seem likely that'a number of voters would give heed to quite an outside person. It would be Interesting to know if the occasion was one when women were allowed to record their votes. What is known is that the successful candidate flew' to the nearest high spot, "flapped his wings and crowed loudly"—also that the peculiar mentality of those who send cable messages abroad from England thought it worth while to record his utterances and broadcast them to the world. It is all very puzzling to those who regard life as a/serious matter, as an opportunity to be "decent people" on all occasions, and who 'regard foolish and ill-considered bragging as a most unfortunate thing. However, there it is, and it is only possible to go back to the old saying that "it takes all sorts ■of people to make a world." The wise and the kindly exist, the just and fine, but. it sometimes seems as if those chosen for public positions in all countries do not- represent the best of the people available. A woman who is shocked at Mr. Little's smallness writes to point out the courage of women in Spain who are joining in the battles for freedom in that Country, on whichever side they think the right one; then the girls and women in China who have banded together to help defend their country from the nearby invaders, as well as the women who take life'seriously in all ranks of life and do their utmost to make a little corner of the Kingdom of God wherever they may be. ■

"How smug we British are," she writes, "and how terribly we fasten the shackles on our women." And who shall say she is wrong? The records of all countries show the efforts women tiavefrtiade towards'"the" betterment of their sex and of humanity generally. They are generous, hard-working, economical people in their efforts, and accomplish what is most surprising, but —there is always a "but"—they cannot get to the root of the evjls around them for they are always met by a stone wall either of indifference on the part of "authority," or of conservatism—that terrible "Let be, let be, don't stir things up,: let it all remain as it was in the beginning." Women most emphatically are anxious to remove the causes of evil

in their world, of ill health, immorality, and irreligion. Yet anything that is not as it always has been in the past is opposed, and it is thrust upon them that not till there is a changed world" of thought will they be able to "clean up the Augean stables" around thpm.

It is all pitiable. for v they know, those who go about the world where help is needed, that so much could be done with different methods, but they have no power to bring these about. It will never be known what impelled the woman named Elsa Vagolini to come out into the arena of elections. Her reasons may have been both good and urgent, and, therefore, she might have been a disturbing influence and have

thrown apples of discord here and there in a quiet pool where peace had reigned before.and all were willing to "let be." She must have had courage and determination, for when there was not one voice raised in her favour, not : one friendly hand held up, she demanded a poll, to give those who wished her'"well -an. opportunity of voting privately—and sixteen were found to support her. It' is really. a very interesting happening,, though not in the way that.the people who sent the cable imagined. It brings to the recollection a cable message sent some time ago when some country schoolmaster, in a little place in York-

shire made, some derogatory remarks about women. These were also told to the"world by the same people, and it was impossible to help wondering what interest or importance they attached to this later man's sayings that they thought them worthy, of such publicity.

The reverse side comes uppermost, however, when the news had to be sent that King Edward had handed over to his mother, Queen Mary, the high position of head of the Order of the British Empire, of which he had been Grand Master. Even for a Queen this is a great honour, and certainly the world of women rejoiced, for this Order is one to which they are admitted, and to have the Queen as their head is a great delight. Perhaps the best hope for women who feel the disabilities of their sex is that a man as young as King Edward, just trenching on middle age,' should have made such a favourable gesture towards women through his mother, that those who are younger still, as the events

of the world develop, may see . that there has.been a great deal of unwisdom in not mobilising the work and sympathy of women much more widely, and that it has been a mistake and a great waste of power. There, are, there is little doubt, "Jean Battens" in other directions in life as well as in the air, and it is time for the illiberals of the ■ world to have a better : vision. If this is not possible now there is quite a good" prospect when the quite-young people of the present day come into their own. A great deal that is necesgary,to .the alleviation of suffering' and . ill health will be achieved.