THE SCHEME OF THINGS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 10, 12 January 1929, Page 14

THE SCHEME OF THINGS

(By M.U.C.)

The'''Review, of England," which appeared recently in "The Post," should be a good and s'uflicicnt reply to the pessimists who still exist and love to express their opinion that "The country is going .to the dogs, sir," according to Mr.: Punch's elderly gentlemen of about a hundred years ago. Peace within the borders of the laud .has been secured by industrial agreements 011 a large scale, and. if a country is peaceful within itself it Is far less a target for trouble from abroad. Russian agencies may liavo been, avid' probably still are, burrowing underground, but it is a matter for congratulation that so far they havo m.et with little success! and as much nioney is needed for such malignant work, it is to be hoped and expected that; they will suffer suflieient discouragement to induce them to "cease firing." There is little doubt that the- great slogan which has been set going in the Empire, "Buy British Goods," allied' to the fact that the manufacturers have got a better grip, and idea, of what is wanted in the Dominions, will make for increased sales and a closer bond of friendship. The pessimists and mischief makers must "hold their whist" in the face of such facts publicly produced.

Then conies mention oil the increased, voting power of women. The writer wisely refrains from comment, but simply states that nearly 6,000,000 more wo-, men will bo enfranchised. What the effect will be it is simply impossible to o-uess. It is. the unexpected that happens in most of the events of the world, •and what the British girls and women will'do with;tho vote is,only a matter for interested conjecture. In all probability they will act in much the same way as the New Zealand women have (lone. A proportion of brains and education will eagerly seize upon the opportunity to try and understand and vote .intelligently; 'But there also will be the womenkind carefully brought up in strictly . parental teaching that "kirche, kuchen, und kinder" (according to the ex-Kaiser's pronouncement) are air that is necessary for them to trouble about, without grasping the fact that there are big Empire matters that need the best: thought and efforts of every individual to manage, discreetly and to the best advantage. Perhaps one of the best educational methods of the tlme.may.be found within the borders .of the Y.W.C.A., which throughout its world-wide establishments educates its members in citizenship of the broadest kind.:- 'I,'ho women who hold aloof from all interest in their country and politics form quite a big class here, and no doubt :itwill bo the same in England, though to a,lesser extent, owing to the i'iict that there they arc nearer to the centre of things, have a wider knowledge, and are in touch alsdwith many women of wealth and position, who really-, care and work for their country and people. There is word of educational .schools' and.. classes ;;.:in politics^haying been established by each party;": the seeker after truth will be able:to visit each,'and-'make up her mind .lyhefe the best idealsare situated. It: is a very interesting world just • now-,.'with so many changes and discoveries, and not the least interest comes within the sphere of womenkind. News comes from England that already all classes and ..parties are working hard'for the next election, and, it will be intensely exciting when, the time comes to see the declarations made by the younger women.

Again, there is food for thought on the part of the pessimists in the wonderful story told of generosity in the Old Country. Hundreds of thousands of pounds are given for the use of people generally. The National Debt will bo greatly reduced by one princely gift. Other great sums have been given to tho Cambridge University Library, British Legion Fund, Hospitals, St. George's , Chapel, new National Gallery to house foriegn sculpture, extension of the National Portrait Gallery, and for the bettor housing of the Elgin Marbles. It sill, reads like a "fairy tale, "but it is solid fact, and a very joyful and encouraging one. Itniay'be remembered by some that when' last year began dismal prophecies were made of. disaster to the world, and the British Empire in particular, by a number of earnest students who used the Book of Revelations, the stars, and the'- measurements of the Great Pyramid to support their ideas. The story of the year,, while it does conlain records of exceptionally disastrous weather in• inan# parts of the .world, still shows that.in other directions the Empire and the world "at" large'h'ave a ■tremendous lot to be thankful fory to be cheerful about, and to make the'looking forward during the presont year quite.-a: happy process. „ It would be-rank ingratitude to, take any other \-iew. Perhaps the best thing of all'is the immense interest taken in the cause of Peace, for this beautiful thing is in the minds of the peoples all the time, and concentrated wish and thought are great powers for good'or evil.

Soino women gathered at a party recently .and discussed the modern child. Quito a number of interesting things were said. Tho views differed, of course, according to the mind and the enlightenment of the speakers. But agreement was found in the fact that the children arc wonderful, that they arc years older than their age, and that they seem to .be.born knowing so much more than the last generation. Parental control does not icxist —they are a law unto themselves, and most of them manage exceedingly well. . That these thoughts arc not. new, however, is shown by a quotation from an old writing, "Tho Prophet," by an Arabian, who says:— Your children arc not your children. . They .arc the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, and though they are with you, yet they belong not to you. You may give them your love, but not your thoughts. ■- You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the House of To-morrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to-be like them, but seek not to make them like you, for Xiifc goes not backward nor tarries with Yesterday. ■ Jjike so i much in Eastern thought this is full'of truth, and of such truth as is only just beginning to be realised in tho Western world. Modern thought is so often found to bo ancient in the East, and more and more the western peoples arc going to the East for their wisdom.. ■'

Tho soles of boots and shoes should be allowed to absorb as much good ■ ■white varnish as they will take up, and should be painted with it at different periods of their lives. They -will last twice us long without mending if this is done. To polish a piano that seems greasy, it should first tic washed with vinegar nnd water, wiped dry, then, polished uiih a good furniture cream.