THE SCHEME OF THINGS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 85, 13 April 1929, Page 18

THE SCHEME OF THINGS

(By. M.H.C.)

'''■' It isvery interesfin'g to find that the .'Prince, of Wale's is following up his "wonderful visits to the poor districts in his own country", by equally wonderful speeches on public occasions. It looked; from somo messages that eaineout by cable after his tour of tlio ce-al-"£elds, as if he were to bo prevented "from continuing his good work by tho power of "vested interests," but, it must be supposed that his courage and "individuality have triumphed over any of these possible difficulties, and hs> is carrying on the fine work by means q! ■broadcast, speeches. His appeal for ■■work'forthe million and a half peopie '•who are workless in Great Britain at r present> is-one that will reach manyhearts. The idea of presents of money toeing given, just to keep them alive is 'distressing to those who fear pauperisation, or sapping the energy and selfrespect of the people, but the providing of work is a measure which will be welcomed b/ all but the idle wasters, of whom there are too many, even in the,best times for employment. The Prince touched on the question of better salesmanship, and also oh that wide ,one of providing for each country the kind pi., goods which will, suit the climate/ conditions of life, and people. These ideas are not new, but the will be all the better for their ■being-brought forward by one who has ...travelled ,so...widely -and observed so much.

In spite of all that has been said and ■■done,.however, it is stated that there is 'not the sale for British goods there should]be.. It is a question for women 'to consider Very seriously, for they are the ; main' spenders -of the family moneys. The importance of the welfare of 'the ■.-Empire is .so immense to every.; country within^ its borders, and, therefore, to 'every individual person, that the spenders of money have a 'plain duty before them in the way of ■eeeing. that . they get, British-made goods. It is a fact that a nearer country turns.out some most "appealing" Vavticlesj in thojway of price,- finish, and convenience,:and also that the training of its salesmen,js made more of an art, than has.been"tie case so far,'.in Brit; ,ish economy, but the fact that the ■buying 'b'f';British goods is th'o, best way, at present, of helping the '. Old Country, should be kept in mind by ..women of all sized purses, those who hav£ only • a little: to spend keeping ■it in-mind that " every little makes a •mickle" to .quote a real Scottish proverb. The* more that is bought hero ..■themore will be sent out, and thp more ■■' people-at ■'Home will be able to' be em- 1 ''ployed,v:',.-It?is'.reany a big .thing,, and : L *i matter. of,*-importance that women should jldokif or.tho ; British trade uiark on' all their 'goods. ■■■'■•

In ,a recent novel the writer treats amusingly of publicity in regard to men and women..; : He premises by saying that, "like most moderate views, his ideas about the subject are neither es•riting 'n,or profound:'/"! have noHove for that forbidding- masculin'o.. creature who describes ..as,, a, feminist,'.'he declares, "but- still less do I love that rather, effeminate type of male who ''describes hiiriaclf"as;an anti-feminist. I think sex-war as idiotic as.'class war, or any other kind of war." He finds that quite important matters such as "the League of Nations, family endowment, and various important championships,' pale in importance in favour of such questions r.as", ''Should a woman '.smoke? *'. "Should a- woman preach 1?" and "Should .awoman fly the Atlan-tic?"/-Many'-other, things are Anelud- .. Ed along with .these, such as the wea.r'.ing of knickerbockers, opening. of her husband's letters, taking cocaine,^writing, psychological novels, etc., while should girls have votes, wear cloche •hats,; have careers, lower- skirts or higher .education, all appear.of universal journalistic, importance. Next cornel the-debates al^outtho treatment of babies. Altogether the writer declares. -;it- is 41.; scandalous thing that! man, .as:such, .does, hot come into the^ journalistic picture! "About the small details of feminine life whito-hot are evoked, moral thunders are called; up,, and. deep ■ calls to. deep in clanging controversy. No one writes to tho papers saying that .the wearing of bowler hats by men is a shining .proof that British .manhood is glorioussound at,-heart,...or, alternatively, is symptomatic of "the" frivolity and selfishness of. this degenerate age. The sad fact ig'that'"no ohe'-'cares tuppence, what, a man wears. He can. go from .the cradle to the .grave. without causing a ripple" of ' excitement. . At his wedding he is "a forlorn figure, inset at the bottom-of a-front-page picture'of: tho bride, her bridesmaids and female relations. . . If a man were to burgle a bank, ho would'bo fortunate to get a mention, in'-the "Gleanings from Here 1 arid There," but if a woman steals a one-and-elevenpenny pair pf stockings from a bargain counter, she is automatically, featured according to her age ,ns (a)'"Clergyman's-"Widow's , Sad Lapse," (b) 'Society Adventuress's Daring Escapade,' or (c) 'Bobbed-hair-ed Bandit's. Pare-dcvil Exploit.'"

"For ■these and other reasons, quaintly given, the author makes his country doctor dcclaro that men aro • the victims .of a conspiracy^ of silence on the part of the Press, and he contends that as lie is a much more rational being than any-"woman could be, therefore lie is inorc interesting. . Why should ho not bo 'written about? . His soul and hls..breakfast food, his clothes, and his manners, aro really of far more importance, yet are utterly neglected in favour of the merest details about women—therefore, lie has, he says, a very ■.legitimate grievance. This is all very-amusingly put, but contains a truth.that- is undoubted, more-ly'-in the way of "scare head-lines" pointing oiit'iiny delinquencies on the part of ,women' or the youngest and Diost foolish 1, of girls'.- The value <md importiincp of publicity, is being proved continually, but, like all good things^ it can be abused; or it can be made a bad use.of.. The days of perfection in handling.it-are yet to come. ;