TOPICS FOR WOMEN

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 124, 21 November 1931, Page 9

TOPICS FOR WOMEN

The Scheme of Things

By M.H.C.

Does anyone venture to say —in New Zealand, and in tlie.se days—that women are not interested in polities' If anyone does it must be because he, or she, lives in a rather narrow groove, for in the wider sense it is wonderful the conception of political matters that exists. There is a distinct "young movement," as there is in many other directions, and to hear tho opinions of some of these younger people is most interesting, and, to a certain extent, enlightening. Tho modern view is always refreshing, even if mistaken in some directions, and it is to be hoped that in tho coming elections there will be no neglect on the part of those enfranchised since the last elections to do their duty in voting, whatover their party may be. It has been apparent for a good while that the neglect to \-ote has been on the part of a section of tho older women— those who have not minds sufficiently elastic to stretch to the privileges and necessities of the times. Practically their day is over, so far as real thought is concerned, and it is rather a surprising thing to notice how early, or how late, this period comes. Probably it is due to early upbringing. Those who come- from the early families who took a vivid interest in the small politics of the "colony" when everything mattered, when news spread from mouth to mouth and opinions were exchanged by women on tho things that concerned themselves and families, carry on that interest, and carefully view the happenings of the far greater world of to-day as they concern their own Dominion. Then the families of pioneers, who sternly refused to allow women any interest in anything but "kinder, kirche, und ku'ehen" (which Kaiser William dictated as the only necessities for women to trouble about), still, in the older ■women, keep apart from politics, and, perhaps, take a pride in the fact that they "leave politics to the men." The duty, or the necessity to take their part, they do not see at all.

Looking at the audiences at political meetings, it is instructive again to note the attendance of women and girls. The sneers at the "flapper vote" which failed to prevent the British Government from enfranchising young women of 21, certainly do not make any difference here. The "twenty-ones" either attend meetings or hold their own, and mostly have ■vrorth-while opinions of their own into the bargain. It is a!l most interesting as a. study, the only regret being that there are still women who do not see that the politics of the country only represent the bigger house-keeping and affect both men and women alike. Another expression of foolishness, mentioned recently, camo from a section of women wbo stated that as they did not like,either candidate- they meant deliberately to register informal votes! This seems a most reprehensible idea, absolutely feeble from the point, of view, of not being able to choose the best man available, even if he should fall short of the standard set up bi theso women: mischievous as practically disenfranchising themselves: damaging to the party they should bo supporting; and giving trouble and a certain

amount of. expense to those in authority. It is to be hoped that better counsels will prevail before the time comes for the election, and that this absurd idea will not be carried out by any sensible women.

While a great many sensible and remedial matters have been put 011 the Statute Books in the form of Acts, owing partly to the influence of the women's vote, there arc still many which need so placing. One, which has been asked for far and wide in this country and in many others, is the establishment of a corps of policewomen. It might be said that all women and most men social workers are agreed as to the necessity for these preventive people. It is a strange thing that all Governments quite willingly place huge sums on the estimates year by year for remedial work. Men are most kind and thoughtful for those to whom barm has been done, cither in health or morals. But when it is a case of asking that something adequate and orderly may be done to prevent all the evils that lead upto enormous expense, there is a quick buttoning up of the public pockets, virtuously heads are shaken, and the expense of the preventive work is mentioned with mingled horror and reprobation. Tho establishment of means for the prevention of the unchecked evil among young girls in the streets in bad company, leading to increased burden of illegitimacy, of the care and upkeep of "State children," and the filling of homes and hospitals with the sub-normal and diseased —this does not appeal, although the evils do not only go on but increase as time passes. The methods adopted now are not adequate for very good reasons for which the present social workers cannot be blamed, and yet, when more help is asked for, at once the expense is put up as a "smoke screen," while very few requests for remedial work are ever turned down, although the expense, if not the same, may be'definitely greater! "It's a queer -world" was the remark made recently in discussing this idiosyncrasy, but the effect of the "queerness" is positively tragic, and those who realise how tho burden of expense presses on the working ratepayers and taxpayers, with already bowed-down shoulders, cannot but regret that the load must inevitably be added to year by year on account of lack of sensible preventive ' measures that would not cost an enormous sum in the outset, and would soon make a diminution in the remedial votes.

It behoves women to think about these matters, and to endeavour by sensible action to combine to use their votes to the best advantage, and, while no women are available to voice their ideas and needs in Parliament, to help to place enlightened and practical men there who will look at all sides of these questions and who can be trusted to have no sex bias. That here arc such men has been proved nany times, but they are not always ulocted, and it is to be hoped that women, between now and the brief time before the election, will give those important matters some thought.

dresses which are so becoming to some women. The throe-cornered taffetas plaid scarf, which can bo arranged in several different ways, is the newest fashionitem. These scarves arc extremely smart, and can be worn with tailored suits as well as with dresses. Buy a square of pretty taffetas, the siz.o of a largo handkerchief, and fray out the edges into a small fringe.

Small narrow cuffs, and a flower made of plaid taffetas, make a very smart trimming to a plain dress.

The very newest type of bodice h;;s a draped scarf attached to it, and this is the style that seems to be most popular in Paris at tho moment.

Day frocks of every description are provided with belts of some sort, usually the shiny leather variety—and evening dresses have belts, or sashes. Fashions are changing. We no longer admire round shoulders and flat, chests. Women will not actually go back to the old boned corsets, but a great attempt is being made to regain a slender waistline.

Some women arc wearing trousers this season, others stick to petticoats.

Long skirts and short sleeves, high waists, and wide-brimmed hats are all becoming to girls of eighteen "and nineteen.