TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 119, 23 May 1925, Page 15

TOPICS OF THE DAY

(By "M.H.0.")

It appears that the International Conference of Women realised from the outset that the part of women at the present time largely lies in the formation of public opinion. It has always been so to a limited degree: strictly unofficial and, it might almost be said, privately by suggestion at home, and by teaching of the family. The latter is one of- the most valuable methods, and should be taken advantage of by parents for the bigger subjects of life, there is no doubt. But the answer to those who consider that women should have no further influence than that lies in the fact that there are still quite a large proportion of women who only use part of their intellects. The part which directs the bodily comforts of themselves and families is very active, but the rest of the intellect remains uncultivated, and therefore they are quite unable to direct the higher thought of their families—and are also unaware that there is any need for them to do so. But the council touched upon the necessity for ■women to endeavour to study ( worthwhile subjects, and spread opinions about them. This would, at least, have the effect of bringing them before the public and "getting them aired." The conference is urging the women of the countries which have not ratified the 1921 Convention of Geneva for the protection of women and children to use their influence to obtain this ratification. But the conditions which are to be approved are but little known, and it would be well for the International Centre to take means of spreading the information -widely. The women touched upon the subject of the publicity given to subjects "calculated to incite immoral behaviour." This must refer to sordid stories and indecent pictures and posters. A well-known writer in "T.P.'s Weekly" mentions the latter with especial detestation, and makes the assertion that these are largely responsible for a good deal of the immoral happenings which have been found to occur in schools and among quite young people. It is a fact that ignorance is not innocence, butr there is no need to remove the latter with a coarse and soiled hand. The conference not only urged tha general appointment ol -women police—but that they should have full ■ status. To this the -women in New Zealand will undoubtedly add "and full training;" When it is considered that each man who is allowed to take full duty as a policeman has an excellent training in quite a, number of different branches of work, it would be a disastrous thing to place womea in like positions without the advantages of the training. Her training would have to be on partly' different lines, and would embrace character tests at a quite different kind. The Nationality of Married "Women has also come under consideration, and the same feeling as that expressed here -was shown in that the conference urged that women should not be deprived of their, birthright of nationality on marriage with a man of another nation, but'be allowed to choose whether she -will retain her own,, or take.his nationality upon her. Deficiency and abnormality among children were considered and resolutious passed as well. A'wide range, of subjects came under consideration, largely on the lines of those which came before the Geneva Conference. '

It is a fact that people attend lectures very readily nowadays, wotaen particularly showing a thirst for information of the more serious sort. Some recent lectures were of rather special interest, and followed on those given a little while ago showing two sides of a question of importance rather curiously -They were both connected with affairs in the great Indian Empire. One showed by picture and story the differences in the two great native religions, Buddhism and Mahommedanism, with illustrations of the distressing occurrences which are at times connected with both. These appeared to point out that the British rule,was the connecting link between the two, and that the business of this rule was largely to "see fair" and adjust affairs for the benefit of both, -the later lecture dealt with the question of the prospect and prevention of another world-war, and some extremely fine sentiments were very beautifully put forth. But the trend of the lecture was an indictment of the British rule, with some serious accusations of what appeared to be very unjustifiable behaviour on the part of authorities. It would be interesting to know if there is not another side, or perhaps more facts in connection with the story told. Then there was an entire absence of any mention of the benefits which had accrued to the great country as the effects of British rule or of the hundreds or self-sacrificing British folk who have left their own land for the heat and alien food and conditions of India, sacrificing health and often life, to work among the very, poor and ignorant of that vast land A great humanity and love has been'shown many times, and this should surely count when the story of British rule is Deinz told The speaker was one who had benefited by tho literature and teaching of the British, and added to his own fine intellect and personality, his eloquenco and earnestness, should make a wonderful prophet in his own land if he were to.undertake to go among a portion of the millions there and preach the beauties of the religion he believes in added _to the hygiene and better social ..^nditions of which he is aware. There appears to be a vast field in India yet untouched where old cruel customs yet obtain and modern hygiene is unknown. The British ideas on these subjects are well worth speading, and from what one can hear from missionary directions, "The field is white for harvest, but the labourers are few."

As a to the letter of the Hon. E. Newman suggesting that tho sum of money which remains undistributed from the wool profits, a voluntary sum offered by the growers, should be> given in the direction of benefit to tlio daughters of seamen who had served during war time, the sons already having received such benefit, it is interesting and pleasing to find that the suggestion haj been favourably received. It appears that the executive of the New Zealand Sheepowners' Acknowledgement of Debt to British Seamen Fund has unanimously agreed to accept the proposal outlinpd I.v Mr. Newman. It is hoped that the training and other benefits will be of ereat advantage to the girls as it has been to the boys, and that the Dominion will oe the^better for the coming to it* shores of a*number of these girls in the course of time.

To remove the brown- stain found on I egg-spoons, rub with a moistened cloth dipped in salt, after the gpoona have been wajmnd-