OF INTEREST TO WOMEN

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 45, 21 August 1926, Page 17

OF INTEREST TO WOMEN

Abroad and At Home

THE SCHEME OF THINGS

(By M.H.0.)

Rather a good little chain of comments comes from a woman's paper on the matter of f'Asking Questions," and those who'-have suifered from the idle questioner will heave a sigh of sympathy with the writer. Who does Dot know that person who asks ever so many questions of'a busy man or woman, and does not- take the slightest heed of the answers, coming to the charge again perhaps the same day with the same foolish questions. Then there is the person who quest: -is intelligently, but for. no puropse. He, or she, will screw round the questions in. a minute and meticulous manner—and when the exasperated victim has done tt - best possible to- give all information, is met with a blank "Oil," and that is all. Perhaps tho questioner' may be asked, "Why do you ask all this?" and "Oh, I just wanted to know," is the reply, and the victim feels that "something with boiling oil In it" would bo.the method of getting rid of the interrogative scourge. One is reminded of the impatient man who when asked at a time when exceedingly busy in his office, "OJi" —they nearly always start with'"Oh." —"So you are busy at your office to-day 1" replied, "No, I am at homo and in bed with a straw hat on." One can imagine the puzzled surprise of-the question-asker! This could be elaborated timo after time, but it is a fact .that tl:.ro are few things more -nerve-racking and irritating than aimless and unnecessary questions. If no people would ask questions except thoroughly necessary ones, and would take the trouble to rememi ber the replies, it- would be an easier and happier world, and there would be much morv time for pleasant and intellectual conversation: Some folk are fond of asking questions about subjects of which they are quite ignorant, thinking to deceive others into the belief that they are better informed than they ,really are, whilo the "bright" questioner is among the most trying of all. It is a big subject, and one into which the psychologists might inquire for the relief of humanity.

It was very pleasing to some of the women listeners }n .the Lower House galleries the other day to find that a question had been asked in the House which concerned that excellent report (long sinoo presumably "-pigeonholed") made by the committee appointed to investigate the matter of mental defectives' and" other menaces to civilisation m this country. The reply stated that the report was "being kept in. view" —it is 'to be hoped not in telescopic view, but somewhere nearer by, and it was also said that tfiero are many difficulties in carrying out the suggestions of the committee. Something not very clear was murmured about ".experts,", but.it was stated at the time of the'- <poinmission that experts were asked to-give cvidenee before the Commission, and that every opportunity was taken to get the latest and best information about the mental, bodily, and psychological conditions of the afflicted people. Therefore, it is rather disconcerting to find that it is a question for more experts to go into, and the old saying arises, "When doctors disagree, what is to bp done?" The report was so admirable in its completeness and restraint that it was commended from. North Capo to the Bluff, and the member of Parliament who fanned the little dying flames-of remembrance in the official mind should have the thanks of the community.

A sad vista of untold pain and suffering has been opened to shock the sensitive souls of the humane by the revelations of tho great Indian scientist, Sir Jagadi3 Bose, says a writer in an exchange, and the sympathetic leader might gather up strength of mind to scan once more some harrowing details of cruelty, such as are becoming pr fully familiar in these days of easily spread news. It is stated that the scientist has found "at all mem-, bers of the vegetable family have hearts, muscles, and' nerves, and that sap circulates in much tho samo way as blood in human beings. More than this, mimosa is said to be ten times more sensitive than a human being, and tho writer urges how shocking a thing it must be for the mimosa to have a toothache, judging from the pain whicii sends human folk shivering to the dentist. The question is raised as to how this discovery will affect tho Hindu and other folk who live on a vegetarian diet largely because they abhor the thought that pain should be inflicted upon animals for the purpose of providing people with food. What is to be done if it is a fact that the necessary homely cabbage, tho tender pea, and the deep-hued beetroot are all put to agonies when prepared for the diet of humanity? It really does not bear thinking' about, and there are many who will wish that the clever Indian scientist had paused in his researches, or taken them in a different direction. The writer suggests that perhaps there will arise a society for the "Suppression' of Cruelty to Cabbages." It is all very well to make fun of this discovery, but what is the world going to eat if fruit and vegetables are to be barred, when so many aro reducing their quantity of meat food in obedience to the instructions of modern doctors and dietitians?