TOPICS OF INTEREST

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 7, 8 July 1922, Page 16

TOPICS OF INTEREST

(By "M.ELCAi

Viscountess Rhondda has made a gallant attempt to obtain full citizenship rights (from tho democratic point of view) for her sex in her efforts to obtain a plaice in the British House of Lords, she (being _ peeress in her own right. She attempted to revive an ancient privilege .which had fallen into disuso, and had, so far as can ho ascertained, never been formerly annulled. Following on the Sex Disqualification Removal Act, she Wrought, probably, "that her calling and 'election, was sure," and so did tho first committee which was appointed to consider a report upon her case. However, these gentlemen were far too singleminded. They only went into the matter on its merits, and returned a report in her favour, which evidently caused much Idismay and annoyance. " The report was rejected, and they were (practically) told _o go _nd do better. Apparently they (reconsidered to order and reversed their _eoision on the lines that "women, criminals, and lunatics must, of necessity, be denied the full privileges and opportunities that are given to mem" The idea appears to be that an aristoeratio male criminal may refprm, or a lunatic may be patched up; but a woman is always a woman, be she fine, well educated, intellectual, and of highest character, and is debarred from giving assistance in the House of Lords to the many causes' which it takes a woman to understand witli true and just insight. It remains, to be. seen what Viscountess Ehondda's next. mov* will be.

Can anyone recall a picture of Jonas Hanway, which appeared in a London illustrated paper many years ago? He was delineated as a stout, elderly gentleman, spectacled and with 17th century clothes, carrying a large, sensible urn while a surprised, and not alto-, igether admiring crowd followed him. The said Jonas little knew the varieties which would follow his well-meant invention, nor the umbrella aggravation and umbrella dishonesty which would follow. Proverbially people are dishonest with umbrellas; many are there who rue the (kindly impulse which made them 'lend" jai umbrella to a friend, and which never returns to its original possessor. 'Then ithei-i are the [people in crowds, who, in iwet weather, allow their, sheltering shades to trickle from, every rib on those (wedged around them; or, in a public conveyance, rest the sopping, dripping umbrella partly aigainst themselves and partly against a shrinking neighbour, to !the detriment of perfectly good trousers or skirts. Jonas Hanway has much to smswea: for. The latest variety mentioned in the umbrella family are some minute ones -which are supposed to be sunshades, ffhese are very small, thick ribbed, and with stumpy handles and a second- row of rib-tops forming a sort of pagoda top. They are made of radium lace, thjn georgette, and other ethereal fabrics. Some are striped in violet shades, some are fringed, while handles are of extremes in peculiarity and expense. So much has Jonas Hanway been responsible foe, with his meek and stotitlyibmlt rain-pDoteotor.

A protest ■___ made against the increase in the number of advertisement hoardings in Auckland City, by Miss Melville, at a meeting of the local City Council. At times advertisements are designed so well and attractively that no person could object to them in the Jrasiness part of the town; but, on the pther hand, some are objectionable; some inartistic, with "screaming" colours; some ill-drawn and out of proportion; while others, again, may be considered as frankly vulgar. The ideal city will have boulevards with graceful trees and beautiful flowers, but great prosperity is needed to accomplish these. Therefore, every. citizen who is offended iby ugly, inartistic, advertisements can assist a good cause by using every effort to help on his (or her) own town. If every person made the very best of their property, refusing to allow any unsightliness or dirt; clearing out slums and replacing old erections with well-planned cottages or houses, much could be done in beautifying the city on sound lines, and there would be great incentive to advertisers to make their designs fit their surroundings.

Talking of modern English, Professor Ernest Weekley develops the idea that standard English is "corrupt dialect." He alludes to Cockney as "a noble blend of East Mercian, Kentish, and East Anglian, which was written by Chaucer, spoken by Spenser, and printed by Caxton." Truly a novel point of view. Till Elizabeth's time1, says Professor Weekley, little interest waa taken in language, it being simply a vernacular, a means of communication, and not an artistic instrument. The study of language is a most interesting on., when it is considered that the "roots" lie in .Greek, Latin, and even older tongues, all adapted and changed to suit tho times. It is a matter of conjecture how .he "Argot" of the day will develop. The "wite am" of the modern child jwbich is intended to represent "wait on"—in itself a silly slang expression— jwill probably arrive into a dictionary ;word. The misuse of "awful" "rotten," "priceless," "weird," etc., is simply fashionable, but will doubtless affect the use in placing the words in the future. But do not believe any optimistic person who says there is no i"twang" in New Zealand,- though of late years there has been a gallant effort %o minimise it,.

"Manners makyth man"—and woman, jtoo. The saying is an old one, as the original spelling shows, but the truth is eternal. Just recently it was borne in upon an observer that there is a great lack, of manners exhibited in entertaining.' An assemblage of highlyeducated young people should not need to be told of the refinements of courtesy, iwhich should be exhibited to older people; to visitors at their entertainments; and to each other. It is said that some authorities have ceased attending smaller entertainments given by the younger, people, becauso of the lack of attention and cordiality shown. Be that as it may, it strikes the-casual observer that there is little courtesy shown

on tho big occasions. No hospitality is --•offered; no facilities fOr seeing and en- ■ joying things; while a number of mem- ':; bers of ono sex congregate outside smok- - ing and talking, while the ■ other sits ,_Bomewhat cold and neglected in another ..'"._part: ;'Tis all a pity; and perhaps a few good straight talks on manners from those who can deliver them on abstruse and learned subjects so well, would ' /"point a moral,and adorn a tale!" To place 9000 girls in domestic serTice has been the work of the Central 'Committee for Women's Training and Employment in London. Miss Lillian Parker is the head of the movement, jmd the money spent is half a - million ____.__•, ______al Relief Fund. Mis_

Barker gives good accounts of the attitude of her girls, and of the employers, and says that the supply of girls "is like a drop in the ocean" of necessity for good, trained helpers. Miss Barker states that the Government is not helping tho unemployed women, and has no scheme, and she asks for sympathetic help in the gallant effort to stem an immense tide of misery. She hopes to get help from all willing to assist their fellow woman beings, and so far has been kept going in her good work.