The Scheme of Tilings

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 17, 20 January 1934, Page 9

The Scheme of Tilings

By M.H.C.

The cable messages from the other end of the world contain a most curious "hotch-potch" of subjects. Mixed up ■with political matters, monetary crises, divorces, and murders, there seem to fee a number of "the silly season's" pronouncements," which, presumably, are sent out because news is scarce, as it is at times-in every news-factory in the world of paper and print. Apparently Hitler the Great has interested himself sufficiently in the tloings of the young German people to mako a decree that German boys and girls under the age of eighteen must he escorted by chaperons when attending dances. This has quite . a comic aspect if regarded from the point of view of a young man of eighteen enter- : ing a ballroom with a spectacled professor to supervise his behaviour, or a modern mother, who would want to be dancing herself, arid would be bored to extinction if she had to follow her son around in order to watch his behaviour. The girls might have a severe father to take the place of the professor, "but ii is a fact that few of the modern mothers would undertake the wearisome duty, so patiently performed in former days, of sitting, at the side of the dance hall or room,' with a certain draughtiness which ensues both on account of the dancing and because the halls must be well aired to make tomfort for those who are taking exercise in the form of dancing. The sitting was wearisome for other reasons as well; sometimes the "next-door company" was boring, and difficult to escape, and there, was an uncertainty about supper, unless a son or husband might bo present to see that the chaperon was warmed and comforted : with food. , . . All these things are to be revived in Germany apparently by order. It remains to be proved how much the order, is regarded, or if the proverbial "coach [and horses" may be driven through,1 it. The amusing part of the annoiracement is that while the young ones aro in the ballrooms there is little need for the eagle pyes to be upon them—but what about the sitting-out places, the .walks in the-grounds, and, perhaps,, the walks home in the small hours of the morning? Does'the Great Orderer propose- that the chaperons shall accompany the boys and girls on these occasions? It all sound* too foolish >vhen analysed into common-sense ideas. Most ojder people are agreed that the great evil of dances is indiscriminate partaking of strong refreshments, but, if people bring their children up properly, to be decent folk, with a real idea of self-restraint, and freedom from greediness for either food or drink, they could surely be trusted without the paternal or maternal optics upon theml It will be, interesting to'hear •what results, if any, follow the German ruler's instruction. Apparently the police are to be' the supervisors to ensure the carrying out of the rule— •which must add considerably to their burden if "they "do their job'"! Another absurdity comes from nearer home—Australia.. A writer, there hits hard at what she supposes is "feminism." This, according to. her. idea.is a peculiar state of mind connected with unpleasant sex/complexes, and' that, people who hoy.c .a pretended tabhor- ■ yen.ee of .the 'other1; sex.. It is an amusing

delusion, but might bo a mischievous one if tho world were not fairly enlightened on the subject. There are quite a number of people in the wp-rld who can look back beforo the days of theso so-called "feminists." They battled for the privileges which arflj enjoyeel by tho younger folk, v particularly the girls, every day of their lives. They have lifted girls from circumstances which made lives definitely unhappy, and, therefore, unsuccessful; idleness, unsuitable work, too close association with relatives with whom they were not in' sympathy, and many other unfortunate conditions which were formerly unavoidable, because of the closely-tied conditions of the lives of girls and women. A relaxation of the absolute necessity for tragically happy> and , therefore, unsuccessful; soul-destroying results at times, has also been accomplished by "feminists," as well as- betterment of the laws of inheritance and the custody of children. v One reads of tho timds when for ,a girl to take a drive in a hansom cat unchaperoned was as good as declaring herself as a wojnai of improper life. Girls had to bo escorted by a maia, a footman, or, if in poorer circumstances of life, by an older relative, if they ventured forth beyond the garden gates. Few'people doabt that those were "Bad Old Days" in comparison with the freedom which brings so many occupations, and such wide interests in life to •women as they now enjoy. The treatment of motherhood is another improvement. brought about by those who really caro for the true welfare of people. The clinics where they can get advice, the many helps with the bringing up of children, of knowledge of' the value of their foods, and of general health information —all these things did not exist not so many years ago, and-there can be no doubt that they all add immensely to the y health and happiness of the people of the nation, old and. young. All is not as it should be, by a very long distance, in the world of women. It is still possible to "sweat" women and girl workers; it is one of the problems of the day, which is still not satisfactorily solved, how to make reasonable provision to prevent this, and yet to do justice to employers as well as to employed. Women in this country cannot help realising the great sum of money which is drawn from their wages 5r salaries, and yet what is done for the young women and girls out of work does not seem adequate when the contributions of their own. sex are realised. It seems as if there is a plain injustice done, which keeps an unsatisfactory feeling going, and it is a pity as it seems so unnecessary. Restlessness 'nearly always -leads to an 'unfortunate outcome of some kjnd, and the ideal of good Government surely should be to avoid restlessness and discontent on the part of any section of the people. No one can be contented nowadays who is oppressed; the days have gone by for .successful oppression, for reaction surely comes, and to be settled, work must be reasonably paid, in order that tho worker may be clothed and fed, an^ provided with some recreation which will keep him from1 •following ;cheap courses: which lead to destruction. ■ • -.■ ; ;