THE NEW WOMAH IN CHINA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 268, 9 November 1907, Page 5

THE NEW WOMAH IN CHINA.

A' TOO DARING AUTHOR TAKEN 10. TASK.'" It is generally allowed in the West, 'that "what is sauce for the goose is sauce "loir the gander." In. China, however, "the Bast Is Kast," and we need, not be surprised, therefore, that there is a. distinctly definite revolt oa the part of the lords of creattoa against the adoption oi this foolish Western aphorism, by some of the maidens of the South of China,' writes the Hong Kong correspondent of., the '"North China Herald."

Not long ago,. a daring- native wrHei; who wanted a sensational subject with, which to attract readers bethought him of the topic erf marriage. Whet new and striking thing could be «aid respecting mar A riage in China, for the whole thing is*fe> prosaic? There was, however,. one aspect of it—novel, indeed—that might be more attractive, to the feminine miud. . The author at once created a sensation by asserting that, as in. the West, so in China, the time, had arrived when Chinese ladies should be allowed individual freedom, so tiiat they could exercise the right of choice iv regard to their future husbands. It was not urged that women should propose, »'j(l men dispose; but only that maidens should be allowed the privilege of a little "flirting" and "courting." ' "Ehls would form an attractive pastime, and cause. the youth of China, to enjoy, life. It was, of cour*, us interesting theme.

The 'venturesome author learned, what returned cpolles had to Impart of-the ways of the West. With these data at his dls---poeaV and- an-uncurbed imagination, the reformer painted "a~'chirming''pictri're 'of "the doings and flirtations of youthful ladles la ■yVeetert lands, of their presents and bracelets, and of" the love and devotion thnt glowed between and . their swains".' The normalltte of the young-peo-. pie of the West, of both, sexes, appeared .even.jmpre ..attractive than the -lives that the cKinese lived even in the golden age.' HOW MARRIAGES ABE" ARRANGED. It was-riot difficult, if the ipaintei , : were determined, to paint the opposite to this, using the materials, supplied' by current Chinese life. He therefore sketched a blackhaired maiden, secluded in a dingy room, ■listening,- whilst a sarulous -go-between, whose 'spring time had long .passed, and who, coulia .have little sympathy "with, the' aspirations of, youth, arranged for her marriage, rwith some man-whom she had never seen, nor wished to bee, in return for a sum of silver. - .

This, two-sided picture, was sketched and made permanent, by Chinese hieroglyphs. side was found, very attractive by--its seductiveness to those maidens"."who had.lately. Teamt 1- "to esplain* characters," find the Idyllic 7 ftf c of their sisters 6f the West charmed them with. its. attractiveness and its. promise of lapplness. • The girls of China began ~to"tBk their , ' parents ond'gnar-" dlans some astonisnitg questiona whicb. filled their elders with amazement and awe.

It is. found, that "impracticable ideals"propagate themselves in China, as In England; (among the suffragettes, for example), and a revolt on a small scale was anticipated with horror and indignation. The officials heard rumours of what .was going on, ..apd it was degided dmong the powers that be that-the Empress Dowager must:be apprised of this astounding, revolt of women.-She-.was an experienced hand; and her advice ■ could he relied upon.

The Empress Dowager. and her horriflea advisers ha'vo notified the ofßcials of Canton that such leresy cannot be tolerated evea for.a moment" Her Majesty was wrathful " beyond words, and there is a general- commotion. The author, who wrote,, the book- : seller who sold, and the maidens who read are' in turn lashed and thrashed, and threatened with appalling penalties, unless' the poisonons upas tree is at "once uptooted and destroyed—even to Its leaves. .' '