AMONG OURSELVES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 76, 30 March 1928, Page 12

AMONG OURSELVES.

A WEEKLY BUDGET. (By CONSTANCE CLYDE.) AIRWOMEN TRIUMPHANT

In spite of tragedy, in spite also of difficulties, women still evince their intense interest in the conquest of the air. A woman has won a prize for the first air hymn competition. "High in the trackless space that paves Thy throne, claim, by Thy love, those souls in danger's thrall." So writes Miss Mary Rowland, an Englishwoman, first in a competition arranged by Americans. We have with us in New Zealand the first Englishwoman air pilot, who won her diploma in 1011, and who taught her own son, Wing-Commander Hewlett, now a successful aeronaut. Mrs. Hewlett's flying school and factory for aircraft were well known even 15 years ago. As remarkable, perhaps, is Mrs. Carstairs, also of England, who has been selected to drive the motor boat that will test the Napier engine. This engine was used in the 'plane that won the Schneider air race at Venice. A Miss Ruth Nichols, of New York, is said to be the only woman holder of an international seaplane pilot's license, and another New York lady, Miss Wittnauer, though not an aviator herself, is the leading official maker of aeroplane chronographs besides similar requirements.

WOMEN AND MUSSOLINI. In view of recent cables regarding some ecclesiastical opposition to the great Italian leader at Borne, it is of .interest to note that the "Women's Leader" of February 17 mentions a report that Mussolini's Government contemplates the imposition of compulsory eugenic medical control of marriage. Against the word compulsion most churches will tend to range themselves. The "Leader" speaks approvingly of the Fascist League of Social Hygiene at Geneva, where candidates for matrimony may come voluntarily. "So far so good," says the "Leader." "There is room in the world for a good deal more expert study and advice concerning marriage. Only, when Signor Mussolini concerns himself with the future of his race, we ask ourselves dubiously, 'To what end?' To the end that it may darken the sun with its fighting 'planes and conquer the world with its Imperial expansion? We fear his end is not the end of civilisation. Or, in another sense, we fear it may be."

CAXTON HALL DEMONSTRATION. Slightly reminiscent of old suffrage days was the Caxton Hall demonstration in favour of equal suffrage, otherwise the "flapper vote," in February. Mrs. Pethick Lawrence congratulated the "flappers" on their little escapade on the opening of Parliament when a band of thegi had stationed themselves at Parliament gates, holding the banners of the cause. At the Caxton Hall demonstration some of the audience heckled, but this was overcome by community singing, which was not known in old suffrage days. A resolution for equal franchise was carried with only one or two dissenting. In connection with this subject a story is told of Gladstone, which is said not to have appeared before in print. Says Millicent Fawcett: "In 1878, just 60 years ago, I was instructed to ask Mr. Gladstone to contribute some books to a library, which had adopted his motto, 'A Radical is a man who is in earnest.' With indignation the G.O.M. pointed out that he had said 'A Radical is one who is in earnest,' and never would he have used the other expression, 'imposing upon me the odious charge of placing the female sex in a very inferior position.'" Beneath the somewhat old-fashioned phraseology one sees a sense of equality rather rare at that epoch.

CHANCES OF MARRIAGE. Some of us will remember much commiseration expressed for the younger women during war time owing to "the terrible shortage of marriage chances" that must eventuate. Girls were urged, en masse, of course, not individually, to resign themselves to a celibate life, and try and take an interest in public affairs. Many, no doubt, felt as did the girl in the "Australian Mirror" the other day who confessed that, even marriage apart, she would "rather peel potatoes than push a typewriter," and had no time for stories of girls forced to give up careers to look after young brothers and sisters. Since the war, however, one cannot say that the melancholy state of things prognosticated haß actually occurred in our country. In England, stranger still, there has been actually an increase in marriages. For instance, in 1911, 506 married in every 1000, as compared with 520 in 1921. Later years are not given, but this is fairly decisive. Of women over 50 only one in every five or six is unmarried. It must be remembered, however, that the non-marrying woman is very largely in the middle classes, and that is why gome Englishmen get the depressing idea that they are surrounded by spinsters. Professor Carr Saunders is responsible for these statistics.

There was much perturbation among •the Officials of Parliament when Lady Astor made her first appearance in the Hons# of Commons. It was a man's place, And changes had to be made. A room looking Out on the terrace was hurriedly converted into a sort of boudoir, on somewhat severe lines it is true, and still continues to be used as a room to which women members of Parliament may retreat, and which is out of bounds for male members. The House, remarks '"Pandora," of the "Times," has now , become accustomed' to the presence of its women members, and it is regarded safe to say that Parliament will never be without them. Indeed, in spite of the prejudices which undoubtedly exist, among many sections of the electorate —women as well as men—the number of woman will certainly increase. Since IMS there have been 96 women candidates for Parliament, : of whom 74 did not succeed in entering the House of Commons: Of 12 women M.P.'s since the war, eight are now members of the House. At the last general election, over two yeSt* ago, there wer» » women candidates in the field. This number may-be increased next time.

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