RELATIVE UNIMPORTANCE OF SPINSTERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 20, 24 January 1936, Page 14

RELATIVE UNIMPORTANCE OF SPINSTERS.

It is now abundantly' evident that in , using a scientific reference to drive home : , a " indisputa/ble fact regarding the rela- j tive unimportance of tjie celibate I overestimated the intelligence and erudition of some of your correspondents. "Young ■ W oman," like the other spinster advo° cates who have rushed into this controversy without having the acumen to recognise the fundamental truth'underlying the quotation which I used, have quite missed the point of my argument, ihose who take no part in carrying on the race—whose life-circle finishes with death are, compared to parents relatively unimportant in Nature's plan. It is not a question of position in a civilised community; social prestige, civic service, charitable benefactions, powers of leadership, economic or cultural superiority weigh little in the scale against the incontrovertible crown of motherhood. It is true that maternity is not always honoured nor honourable in a state of society which preys on the _ defenceless. But since the young of each generation must inevitably be° the hope of the race those who bear and | nurture the young and whose maternal I expenence is enhanced by community u service must be placed on a higher footing than those who fail to complete life's experience. Let doubters of this assertion study, if they will, the history of women in primitive society from, savagery up through barbarism to early j £ civilisation. During this long period in! Iv the progress of the human race mothers' ? of men sat in tribal councils, acted as 'j ambassadors and performed other impor- te tant civic duties. Celibates—male and Jj,' female —were given a comparatively n , inferior position, except in cases where G through superstition they wielded power K over the people. One is led to speculate at times as to whether advanced civilisation has improved matters in this respect. "Young Woman's" reference to E women gaining meal tickets through c marriage is beside the point and out of place in a serious discussion. She being still young and this being leap year all j the envied' advantages can yet be hers if | she is not wedded to spins'.erhood. fg M. B. SOLJAK. 1