TOPICS OF INTEREST

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 141, 17 June 1922, Page 14

TOPICS OF INTEREST

(By M.H.C : )

is a good word. Something like the old woman's "comforting"' one, Mesopotamia, which caused her much joy when she came across it. Recently a woman remarked on all the good, little moral homilies which/ are continually dealt out to her sex on nearly every subject under the sun. Nothing conies amiss to those who want to set the ■world right; dress, conduct as a wife, mother, sister, daughter, manners, home-keeping, office work, society work, etc., ad infinitum. The man who originated the sentence "Cherchez la femme" crystallised in three words tho world's most regrettable attitude towards women. She seems to be the universal .whipping post. Whatever she.does is wrong. She wears too many clothes, or too fow; she is too high-browed or too ignorant; too prudish or too tolerant. There is no pleasing her critics, so she must just evolve her own line of conduct and do her best. Regarding reciprocity; a woman remarked that if this could be established in homes as a recognised principle divorces would be fewer. If John comes in wearied from office work-and worries, and Joan calls pleasantly over the stair banister to him, let • him answer with something more desirable than a sound which resembles "Grrn'-r-r." Or even if Joan I is peevish he may find a day of vexations has been her lot. He- has (perhaps) found at the office that the "boss" was Impossible, and, .the staff incompetent and generally annoying, with piles of work undone. Joan, from the start of tho day, when the milkman did not deliver the milk because the can was not on the front gate; the washerlady failed to arrive; the children were sent back from school with an angry message that ■with such colds they should not be sent among others, and are therefore on her hands, seedy and tiresome; to the end of the day when the pudding is.* failure and most of the work undone, has had a nerve-racking day also. Therefore there are two people in one house who need to help and cheer each other and listen to each other's grievances—not only one person,, who is to be listened to, sympathised with, Bhut off from any further vexations, fed, rested, and generally pampered. .■.'Reciprocity's the word, every timer ;■■•. Jngt a little while ago allusion was made by an Anglican Church dignitary to the recent admission of women to most church privileges accorded to laymen—that is allowing them to speak at meetings, to vote, and to stand for vestry or churchwarden positions. It is sad to * relato that little or no welcome was expressed to the women; nor was there any lead given as to tho course any further usefulness might take. As women so far have been merely "hewers of wood and drawers of water," figuratively speaking, or in the position of serving because they "stand and wait," a few words of light and leading would be very welcome. They stand looking up a "hill o£ difficulty" where so many things are needed to bring the Church within reach of tho understanding and love of all and sundry. The sympathetic guidance of 1 those who are learned in its ways and necessities would bo of interest and assistance. It is to be hoped that if. women are left without any of this that ', at a later date, those who included women in the new privileges will not be disappoincd at small results.. Writing to an Auckland paper a •woman urges the desirability of the establishment of a "Zoo" in that city. By way of pointing her argument, she says that one can "spend even an hour or two in Wellington's Zoo." The word "even" is very unkind. Wellington's Zoo is a great credit to those who have ■worked so hard for it. It is situated beautifully on the side of sunny slopes, with one of the liesfc rose gardens in the city at its approach. Birds, beasts, and fishes are there, and thousands of happy children, not to mention adults, find it a pleasant and profitable place to spend leisure time. Mention is made in an exchange of a ■woman who waxed so abusive when-re-fused change for a ten-shilling note on a tram that she brought herself within reach of the law. It is a curious thing how many people, both men and women, have failed to notice the periods when the • "time-shifts" on the tramways eventuate, and almost immediately a conductor comes on duty, require him to take a twopenny fare out of a pound note; Sometimes, undoubtedly, the refusal is not as;courteous as might be; though it might be imagined that any public servant would learn to "suffer fools," if not gladly, at least with patience. • Talking about manners, or the lack of (hern, those who are working for tho good of the young folk are the ones to be specially helped and encouraged. It is surprising how early the habit of bad manners, "don't-care" treatment of others, and entire lack of value of other folk's property, become absolutely set, while;, the ..difficulty of instilling anything better is colossal. Therefore it is the best policy of the citizens, men" one! .women, to give every help in their power to those who are trying to build up good citizenship from the earliest days. Only those who have worked among the "young ideas" • know, how much help they need, and how much they are worth the very best efforts people can give. The material is often of the be.-i' but sadly spoiled in the early treatment.