TOPICS OF INTEREST

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 25, 29 July 1922, Page 16

TOPICS OF INTEREST

(By "M.H.0.")

The word "demand,"-which, is coming into, .unfortunately, general" use, is a most offensive,'and surely' unnecessary ©n«. The civic and Governmental authorities, in" asking for legal, dues, are, perhaps, the inapirers of this -unfortunate word. , Citizens receive a notice which is practically a "your money oryour Ufa" proposition, not whop they have failed to pay their_just dues, but .when they are coming to time of payment. "We demand the sum of," etc., is hurled at the inoffensive heads of all and. sundry. Some autocratic old AngloSaxon (or Turk) must have originated the expression, and it* has continued in force ever aince those Ark-adian. dsys. "Your rates (or taxes) will be due on a certain date, and miist be paid within so many days," wonld answer every purpose, .and, if used, would perhaps not suggest the word to associations^-and societies which "demand" concessions or alterations, in a like offensive manner. ■The matter is worth consideration—or are' we too deeply rooted in custom ?

"Is a person Vho has never known real want —who has never worked among tJie poor; or who has not by personal observation, seen how the . poor )ive—really qualified to be a ruler or fjudgo in the world?" was a question which arose in a conversation held re*•eently. It wonld be difficult to imagine a person who was merely an engineer, architect, or a member of other practical profession, who had never beheld a bridge, hall, or other- erection which needed observation as well as skill, being really efficient. Paper-diagrams or statistics: are but soulless things, and information gathered through other people, official or otherwise, lacks tlie divine touch, and is naturally coloured by the personality of the gatherer. The story of Haroun Al Rasohid, the great Eastern monarch, who wrapped himself in an enveloping 'and disguising garment, and sallied forth, nightly among hie own people to observe and hear how they lived* and what t«hey needed, is an inspiring one. Perhaps the world* would be an easier place to live in if those >vho, ar« in high placer regularly came down from tie heights, and tried the depths in ai practical manner.. The King and Queen are setting a fine example to their subjects, and are going among all classes freely, and are not of the "world that does no* know how the other part of th» world lives." A story was told of the Queen in a paper lately, which has a very human1 touch. She was making a house-to-house visit in a. poor part of London, and in one place' an old .woman, apologised for the dirty condition oi things, but said food had to be got before soap. The Queen comforted her very kindly, and though no word was said, soap and other necessaries w«re forthcoming. The story of the little pilgrimage is a touching and enlightening one/ . . /

JTfa* question of the presence of women in Parliament as members representing constituencies is one which is interests ing a large number of thinking people to-day. Discussions serious, mocking, tentative, anything but businesslike, are heard in many directions. Auckland ■women, have made a definite movement, and there are many who will applaud their file initiative, good citizenship, and brave spirit, and will wish them a wise selection and the best of success. Selection is a big subject. Women say, "Oh, but all sorts of men get into Parliament!" True; but when women do appear they will be subjected to intense criticism!; their task will be immense, both in the,way of surmounting prejudice, and diowing patience, tact, and firmness in upholding what they believe to ba right principle. Expediency must be an "also started," if in the race at ill. ■ ••■•.•'

"WJiy havo New Zealand women made so little use of tha vote? and why aie they not making a quicker dash, at Parliamentary honours?" are two questions which are continually being hurledat the women here. The answer is simple to a degree. Because of the poor economic position of most of the thinking ajid working women. In England wonders have, been accomplished, because wealthy women have coino to the forefront, and have taken "the burden and heat of the day" upon themselves. Also 'there are big societies of women organised with funds collected, given, or bequeathedr which ena-ble those of more slendiev means to take a part. Therefore much, can be > done which seems impossible here. Perhaps a day will come in this coutnry when the economicallysound woman will come forward, and ask what can be done to help make legislation, or correct it, so -'that every human being, girl or woman, boy or man, can have an equal chance in life. They will be welcomed gladly, and find a. big work to do; but, till that happens, it is to be feared that the,unthinking and unknowing will be able to talk scornfully about the lack of spirit and ■* initiative among New Zealand women at large. A recent writer suggests that it is argued that • the majority of women here 'are of such low mentality that the betterment of their country and sex interests them not at all! Thr is certainly not a fact; though, when the women's magazines and columns are scanned, at times it would seem as if the provision made is of the poorest and most "piffling." However, it is only a question of time and effort and this kind of thing will be happily altogether df tlio past, as it is largely at present, for real good' material is provided for women By the majority of reputable papers.

A pathetic little letter on the "Price of Motherhood" appealed recently, and gave much food for thought. The writer, who justly says that the joys of motherhood are so great that it takes many disabilities to weight down the balance on tha other side, points out that nowadays there are cruel disadvantages. The cost of attendance; the lack of help; the price ■of clothing ; the difficulty of obtaining shelter with children; the difficulty of getting employment in certain 'directions if there ara "encumbrances" ; while, lastly, the writer plskses "the constant harping on the part of a section of men on what it will cost when the new arrival makes, its appearance." This would surely be "the last straw," ,and ahe remarks that it is small wonder that the thoughts sometimes haYk back ■"to-the ■ rridewendent days when their .was their own; and. tho mothers suffer many times of deep discouragement.

■■■ "Side lights on Germany," written in a recent number of Time and Tide, state that there i» a ■■continual effort showing to r»vivte tha closest of class distinctions. The elementary school teachers, yrho hare been ■beginning to tom at

universities,' and have therefore gained a somewhat wider outlook, are possibly to be kept to the colleges where they were formerly trained. At all. events," there is a movement in that direction. A meeting to celebrate Shakespeare's birthday began with a greeting to "His Royal Highness the Grand Duke Wilhelm Ernst of Saxony," though at prosent no such title exists in Germany. Then, regarding books, it. is stated that German books are1 nothing like so voluminous as they used to be. Also the works of many English and American writers are much read, translations of G. B. Shaw, H. G. Wells, Galsanthy, Sir H. Tague, G. D. H. Cole, and Keynes being seen in all directions.