WOMEN IN THE FIELD

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 121, 18 November 1929, Page 13

WOMEN IN THE FIELD

A BACKWARD GLANCE

METHODS OF THE MOMENT

OTHERS' VIEWPOINTS (By "Daniel.") The modern Eve is still to the mariner, the compass and anchor; to the horseman, tho spur and bit; to tho ■writer of satires and comedies, his undying theme. Than Which, what greater exaltation1? Such a gallant peroration to a recent leade/ in "The Post" should leave all women in a cosy glow of satisfaction, convinced that they are really very much appreciated after all, and that tho age of chivalry is not dead. Also, as it is so often tho flapper who holds the centre of tho stage (or page), it is pleasing to see that an older sister (Mrs. Snowdon) inspired the tribute this time. It ,is rather a strange thing, though, that while praise and criticism havo been lavished on tho flapper for years past, she receives it as a class and not as an individual. Except for that well-preserved exception, Fannie Ward, it is hard to think of any one I'flapper" who has sufficiently distinguished herself to remain permanently in the public eye. With her playmates, however, she may get into the cables by jazzing, riding pillion, drinking cocktails, or gate crashing, and once the storm of praise or criticism has broken, remain there for quite a long time. But the older women as a class remain unmentioned. One can begin with Lady Astor and run down a whole ladder of names of brilliant individuals who havo achieved eminence in a variety of ways, but find it hard to give tho characteristics of that mass of unknown women who are their contemporaries. Perhaps the most interesting thing about them as a group is that more'than ever before they have taken their place in public life. More than ever before women are. becoming used to a part in life hitherto only known to them froy* odd things their husbands or " brothers cared to tell them. Matters on which until comparatively recently women displayed a pretty ignorance-—meetings^ petitions, speeches, deputations, conferences—are now true household words. The debut of women into the political arena- and the public life of the times generally, has unearthed an influence new in these spheres-, one which in New Zealand is being watched with interest, hope, and, in some perhaps not very articulate quarters, a tingo of misgiving. Possibly it would be more correct to say that the misgiving (among the undoubted minority where it exists) is not so much for the influence itself, but for the manner in which it is making itself felt. A MAN-MADE BASIS. Women have begun their public life on a man-made- basis so far as the actual business of public affairs is concerned. The rules of debate, of chairmanship, for instance, have been evolved through generations of solely male- meetings. Women, ever adaptable, followed these methods from the start. Nothing wrong with that? Of courso not, you will answer, it shows their good sense." It does, but it also hints at a weakness. Women are intensely imitative, and their success in public life depends on originality. Not startling originality—hunger-striking and imprisonment are not necessary now—but a freshness, a nimbleness of, mind, clearness of vision, a fixity of purpose, and a certain versatility in achieving it. Not very original .qualities? Yet how many public men possess them? What advantage women may hold in public life by. righteousness of purpose and in personal persuasiveness they must loso when they imitate men's methods too closely. And so far as the actual conduct of business is concerned, while it behoves women to pay men the tribute of thorough acquaintance with the formalities of public occasions, etc., seeing they have adopted them, have not red tape and cumbersomo "machinery" been responsible for much of the "put off till to-morrow wliat you can evade to-day" attitude which is the despair of many women workers when they attack the seat's of the mighty in search of reforms? There is another point. While the demand for equality of the sexes is widely heard iv women's movements, how many women, declared for equality, work (probably quite unconsciously) for predominance? The urge which has brought many women into public life and held them there is the belief that "the men have made such a mess of things; give the women a chance." A chance to do what? To assist the men or to gradually supplant them? Equality is a term which is probably interpreted differently by each individual, but if to women it means each one to receive what she covets most in her men friends' status, it is a selfish aim. Yet listen to some of the discussions among women, and there'is very often a "men have it, why shouldn't wo?" twist to the arguments. The beauty and effectiveness of co-operation between the sexea is of ten lost sight of in an atmosphere of sex antagonism.

Then, not always expressed, but often implied at women'B meetings! is the deprecating remark about men. Carelessly introduced, without much point, it results, for "the moment ■at any rate, of a "men are but frail reeds to lean on" atmosphere, a superior reflection not likely to cement the founda? tion of fine relations between men ana women. Judging from observation, both tho belligerent "feminist" manner and the superior "feminine" manner are most irritating to the average men, and not likely to give him yearning feelings of concession towards wot men asking for their rights. Such manners niay not predominate, but it is notorious that the many may bo judged by the few, and women who cither make their requests with militant aggression, or take refuge in superior indifference, are a danger to their saner1 sistex-s. ' , A BACKWARD GLANCE. Much verbal mud has been slung at tho "flapper," but one good thing is generally said for her, and that is that she has a better spirit of give and take, a more- "on the level" attitude towards her men contemporaries; a tendency to recognise their viewpoints and give them value along with her own. No such bouquet has been handsd her older sistor. ""Where tho vanguard camps to-day the roar shall rest to-morrow," may be a platitude, but it must be a truth to those oMor women who are now gradually assuming public office, since their work in all spheres is admittedly to benefit those who come after them. If, then, the mass of women in public life today could take just one idea from the rear for whom they are so nobly pushing forward—if they could develop a more generous habit of mind; realise that rooted convictions are not their exclusive property, and generally consider more equably ."the other fellow's" side of things—would not their tolerance prove a handrail round the pit of imitation, an antidote for the wearing routine of public life which has dulled so. many men intq a stato of lethargy and procrastination, and a general eraser of those few faults mentioned in this articlo? Ability to see the other person's viewpoint is not always a gift. It is a judicial faculty, a cultivated habit of mind. Yet surely

it is a quality worth developing, for it is the essence of all pleas for cooperation and for international goodwill, and it shines through the Scriptural admonition,"first cast out the beam out of thine own eye." . . . "Than which, what greater exaltation^ ''