MANLY MAIDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 96, 24 April 1926, Page 26

MANLY MAIDS.

THE COMBATIVE DISPOSITION. "It is the fashion of the moment to teach, induce, and even compel girls to play games which were originally invented for big boys and young men," said a well-known doctor, in a recent lecture. "In teaching and making girls play these games you develop the combative instinct and the combative muscles," went on the doctor. "In this way you 'are raising a race of giantesses, who are going to have the combative disposition. Another effect of this ultraathleticism among the girls of to-day is to produce a creature who has the male rather than the female characteristics." A very big question is raised by this statement, says a writer in an English paper. For it, is not -only- in ) pri-! vate. schools and boarding (Schools that compulsory games for girls areVthe; rule —they are invading the State schools also. . "Compulsory, rather than voluntary games, are desirable," saya the annual report of the Chief Medical Officer of the Board of Education, with reference to games for girls. Generally, modern girls are much healthier than those of, say, the Victorian era. In many cases they are fitter than our young men. .At first glance that would seem all to the good. But 1b there no loss to

set against that definite gain? Frankly, there' does seem to be a Very big loss; The old, womanly graces are disappearing" and certain types of girls are, more and more, acquiring a "mannishness'-' which is anything' but attractive. -Look at the modern girl as she walks along the street: She strides just as' a man does. Watch" her struggling to board a bus w train, or to get into a crowded' train; She displays all that-spirit _of .which our race is-so proud, but which i the average map does not always associate with his idea of womanhood.

Look round the younger generation in business. Often the hustlers are the women. And more and more they are being promoted to positions of real responsibility, while their, male competitors are staying in routine jobs.

In politics, too, this is the woman's day, comments .an English writer. There are many women now-takjing an active part in public life who are better speakers than most of the men similarly engaged. Perhaps,, if they got the chance they'would also show themselves better administrators.

What is going to be the outcome of It all?

According to . recent investigators, there have 'been periods in the past in which power has been largely in the hands of women, and men have occupied , a very subordinate position. The theory has been advanced that such periods teiid to recur, and that the establishment of equality between the Sexes may be Only the beginning of a movement -towards a civilisation com-, pletely dominated by women. * • In such a civilisation man's sphere would be what woman's sphere was in the "Victorian home. He would be expected to give up his job and keep house for hid wifei whenhe mar* ried. "-, '. __ Are we really coming to this? We may hope not, but there is little-pros-pect of mere man preventing the race of giantesses with Which, we are threatened, and which actuallydoes seem to be springing up, doing whatever they like. - ,

- Never put away pots and pans with the lids on, or, they will -retain -the , odour : of the, food last cooked in. them. If * kept, on a shelf •.- invert them, . and * insert a disc of cork or wood between ,i the shelf and the rim of the pot*