SCHOOL CHILDREN AND THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3062, 25 April 1917, Page 3

SCHOOL CHILDREN AND THE WAR

..' FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCES. v _Dr. C. W. Kimmins, Chief Education, Inspector of the London County Council, has examined 1340 papers , -written by eleven-year-old boys and , girls on the subject of how they can help in the war, and has delivered an interesting lecturo, based upon his conclusions, to the Child Study Society. Some of the entertaining things which his investigation yielded were given i by Dr. Kimmins to a "Daily News" representative. , ■■ i •■ "It is quite clear," ho observed,"that there are fundamental differences in tho attitude of- boys and girls of this age which are absolutely independent of school conditions."

For example, in considering war economies, tho boys are against total abolition, as applied to their luxuries, whereas the girls are.in favour of it. Says the boy: "Only buy sweets when you feel that you simply cannot do without them." But the average girl's advice is: "Give up such luxuries as perfume, sweets, and cakes. Perfumes do you no good, and sweets and cakes may cause indigestion." On the other hand, the average boy feels that normally he eats too much, whilst the girl sees no need for reform in this connection. Say the boys: . Instead of eating because you like eating, you should eat just as much as is good for you. Don't give thinge to the cat, but save them for yourself. This represents the girls' views: - Have a good meal when you are

about it, andl then you cam wait a long* time. Girls can help by encouraging their parents not to take intoxicating beverages. Don't give bones to tho dog, but stew them; they make lovely gravy. The care of _ clothes obviously calls for more restraint with boys than with girls. Thus we have these little items of personal revelation from the boys: Do not kick stones about, because it wears your boots out much more than not , kicking stones about. ■ .■ ■ We must not buy new clothes because our old garments might get the moth in them. > "With the girls," said Dr. Kiraniins, "it is different. Economy in- clothes, though it may be a serious matter, does not mean such an interference with the joy of life as in tho case of the hoy." Here are typical quotations: If you buy- a pair of new boots, the man who makes thorn has to keep a soldier waiting for his, so that you area traitor to your county . . , Girls can savo in clothing by changing into old things on going home from school. If children fidget it wears ' out their clothes. A point noted, by Dr. Kimniins was that whereas girls-cotititmally refer to the amount they have saved, the boys make ho reference to it. Both seem to consider picture palaces and! sweets their chief extravagances. A point insisted upon by the girls is the value of obedience, not only in.making the affairs of life work without friction, but also in produoing that happiness and feeling of satisfaction which only obedience can bring. ,Thus: Girls must behave when teacher is not looking. But tho boy is different. _ "Ho regards obedience," Dr. Kimmins pointed out, "as a necessity and adopts it as a war measure, but he never refers to l any resulting peace of mindl as a consequence." ' Boys, like the one who says, "Boys should fish for bloaters and reduce household expenses," are keen 011 raising money. But the whole question of war work is summed up in this reflection: We children will have to put this country right after the war, so we must work 1 hard and become well educated.

The marriage took, place in St. Stephen's Church, Philip Street, Sydney, recently of Miss Tholma Itao to Private Percy Stewart Dawson, son of -Mr. Stewart Dawson, the woll-kiiown jeweller. Mr. Hugh M'lntosh gave the bride away, and Mr. E. Covillo was best man. Tho annual meeting of the Wellington branch of the British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John is to bo held at the Central Depot, & Mercer Street, on Thursday evening.. Tho business to be dealt with will bo the discussion of the report and balancesheet, and- to elect committees and officers for the coming year. All subscribers and workers for tho society aro invited to attend. The Patriotic Fair which was organised by' the Hastings Branch of the Women's National Reserve and held on Saturday in the Drill Hall (Hastings) for tho benefit of St. Dunstan's Hostel, was most successful, and as a result of the'day's work the sum of £700, or close upon it, was realised. Exposed as they* are to all!. kinds of rough weather, men in training camps suffer severely from windburn and sunburn. An officer now in camp narrates how, after numerous preparations had been tried, the men in his command got full relief and comfort from the use cf "Sydal." He had: been given a sample to try himself, and had derived so much benefit from it that he recommended "Sydal" to others, with tho above happy result. Therein lies further proof of the soothing, softening, healing value of this popular emollient. Price, 25., all chemists and stores.—Advt. Extract from letter just received by Oscar Hewett and Co., Te Kuiti, April 11, 1917:—"I am so pleased with the Sewing Machine purchased from your firm, I had a previously, but they are not in the same street with your machine."—W.J.H. MORAL: For perfect satisfaction and good.value, go to the old-established machinery dealers, OSCAR HEWETT AND C 0.,.56 Cuba Street.-Guet below Bank N.Z.). KNITTING MACHINES, SEWING MACHINES, DAISY VACUUM CLEANERS, PATHEPHONES. ALL BRITISH.Advt. Donnelly's Hair Restorer cures Dandruff, stops hair falling. Chemists' Stores,\2s. 6d. Donnelly's, 65 Vivian St. -Advt.'