TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 34, 8 August 1925, Page 15

TOPICS OF THE DAY

(By "M.H.C.") There is a very old saying, "Pull devil, pull bakor," and it is difficult to »»y how it originated, but it comes to mind at times, especially nowadays when opinions about social concerns are so varied and opposite. There' is one section of. people which views with great •nxiety the tendency to loose behaviour on the part of a number of young folk* —the feminine part of which is continually being addressed from public pulpits and platforms, there being mighty littla said to their masculine companions. This is a curious thing, for most men like to think that they lead in thought and conduct of life, but as soon as wrong things are done—then there is great talk and jobation addressed to women and girls. On the other hand, there is an equally extraordinary point of view put forward by a certain kind of person which embodies the suggestion that those who have seen wrong things done and said on public occasions, such as at dances and on Reaches, must hav 0 sneaked around m list slippers, etc.—a most ridiculous supposition, for the evil is open for anyone to see—and if people are in the habit of going to either of a certain kind, they must see and hear much which they regret exceedingly. It is all quite open and above-board, there is that much to be said; the people who indulge in. some regrettable practices being—to uso an old-fashioned expression—"quite shameless." And now the two factions ot people are pulling against :each other, instead of joining and trying their best to help those who are ill-educated or illbrought up, and who commit, the most foolish actions because no one hai suggested that they lead on to things much worse. There appear to be two mistakes made by those who come forward publicly; one is in addressing all remonstrances to one sex, and the other that of supposing because a person sees the evil around as well as the good, that he, or she, is a sneak and a "Paul Pry.'"

• In connection with the above, gome people are very fond of saying that crime in this Dominion is decreasing. While every sane person wishes moat heartily that this happy state of things were true, and would help in any known direction ,to bring about the elimination oi crime altogether if possible, yet, quoting Artemus Ward, "facts are stubborn things," and Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., of Christcliurch, gives the following figures in a public lecture on punishment methods. He says that in 1900 there were 568 persons In the Dominion's prisons, but at the end of 1923' there -were 1195, and he did not consider that the i increase of population accounted for nearly all the increase in crime. In 23 years, though many offenders were admitted to probation, in 1900 thero were received into prisons 3911 persons, and in 1925 there wore 4685. Crimes against the person undoubtedly have increased, but there is good hope of this tragic happening decreasing, as a result of an improved public opinion as to the horror nnd loathsomeness „of such crime, and the prospect of more severe legislation. At times, though, thoso who notice such ■things, .cannot but wonder at sentences which are given. For instance, it is mentioned that an unfortunate Russian princess in Paris, who was practically starving, and had stolen ft sum of money from an old servant, was given a sentence of a fine of 100 francs. The husband and son of the unfortunate accused had committed suicide in their misery,' and she had had the force of character to cling to life—but the irony of fining a starving woman is really unprecedented—except in the law, which is full oi ironies and anomalies.

Still on the same subject—there appears to be a Public Morality Council in London, and this has requested the Government to tighten up tho theatre censorship. Mr. Seymour Hicks appears to have been interviewed, and says: "Obviously there is something wrong apart from the question of decency. The Deity's name appears to have been accepted as part of, stage dialogue, and is frequently used in the most light-hearted way, merely as a colloquialism, and not as an emotional expletive." Mr. Hicks differentiates fine-

ly between what is merely gross bad taste and what is indecency. There are co many people, unfortunately, who don't know exactly what is meant by ' bad

taste, and are frankly furious •when - othera want the young ones to develop and keep a standard of good taste of a high degree. If a thing is not grossly and blatantly immoral and disgusting, they "see no harm in it," and can't think what £he others are fussing about. Mr. Hicks, no doubt, knows his world veil <uid is aware that this kind of pernon grows and flourishes nowadays, I>oauig as the broadminded and clean jiernon., who sees no harm in anything. Mr. Frederick Lonsdale, the playwright, is of opinion that as "vice vanquished and virtue victorious" is the tort of thing many folks like, that vico ttiust bo mentioned and acted. The subject is difficult, no doubt, but a litMe common-sense and courage are qualities which would clear things up,considerably if exercised with discretion.

New Zealand women teachers should "sit up and take notice," for a most important decision has been given recontly in .London, which might affect ono or morn of thwi in the future. Mr. Justice Rorner in the Chancery Division of tho High Court (sounds like Gilbert and Sullivan) decided that women teachers must not he dismissed because they married. The case was a tost one, it appearing that the Corporation of Poolo had dismissed an (twist-ant-mistress on the ground that tho primary duties of a married woman is to look after domestic duties, Tho Corporation lost the case, and therefore had io pay expense*. It is rather amusing to, the onlooker to see excellent gentlemen deciding what the duties of some young woman in their employ should be outside those for which she ivas paid. Suppose, for instance, that the young woman and her husband had settled down in a two-roomed flat, and V^ decided to do so because her earn-

ings and his justified this conrse? Chore is not much to do in two rooms, /aecially when people have just set up rl'Ui ne,w furniture, and so on, and an active-minded young woman might well like to continue in her profession for soino time at least. Later, when circumstances might have altered, it would bn time enough for the young teacher herself to make a change in her. own duties in life. There is little floulit Ihnt slin would if necessary. But ji'ianv will' be ploaned tlint 3 principle has bceii et.labiißhed.