The Scheme of Things By M.H.C.

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 114, 10 November 1934, Page 19

The Scheme of Things By M.H.C.

Thera is much to be learned from ' reading excerpts from the presidential 'speech given at the- Pan-Pacific . "Women's Association conference at • Honolulu. A resume is given of the " efforts and effects of man's inventive- " ,ness and the many reactions ithey have on the conduct of the -world's affairs and tho psychology of the people. It is shown that each person, whether he likes it or not, is a participant in the • life of the world. The interests of the nations are intertwined, and countries ■•become partners —again, whether they .-are willing or not. The psychology of . -a person is only co-ordinatod and de- - veloped by some dominant idea or ideal, "which brings all powers into play, and * does not leave some rusting and use"less. What is true in a person is true in' a nation. Let either live for pure selfishness and'disregard for the rights . of others, grabbing and oppressing, permitting slavery of any degree, disseminating false ideas,' interfering with the peace and well-being of any other country, and either the individual or thQ, nation is an active power for evil. " 'The* search- for truth is one of th& • most remarkable features of today. Im- " mensely interesting facts are being brought to light-and the best and most advanced of the scientists are stil 'content to say "Still I do not know." :It is very hard.to make this very old • universe give up its secrets, and the - life of one man or woman cannot compass more than just a step forward. .Fortunately for the belief and happi- .: ness of mankind, tho day of dogmatic .•pronouncements is largely past. Co- • operation seems to be one of the crips •'of the day, for the nations have not, in "the 'course of the history of many cen- • turies; yet mastered the art of living as •:a harmonious community. Fear and are still bred, in secret, and -come out into the open now and then ;in a disastrous manner, and tner©_ is ; still room for the display of primitive 'passions'and prejudices. It seems that ■ thought ,and ideas have harked back '"some centuries when recent quotations and speeches are read, and it looks as ' if there is still the type of person who has no hesitation or shame in giving encouragement to dissension. Competition; for markets, for raw materials, for liberty in sea and air, aH.are ram"pant, and it is a matter for wonder -"when those in whose power the making '•-.of hindering of warjies, will weigh well --how much any country'would gain Ly that most disastrous method. "s Side by side with this possibility, -there is the fact, noted by the president of the conference, that at no I known time 'has one part of the world so conscious of the capacity and the needs of- others. ~ There are also •-many economists and publicists cour-

ageous enough to' denounce economic nationalism as having a barbaric element. That says a great deal, and looks as if a useful lesson has been 'learned by some thinkers. The FauPacifio Women's Association is described as one of the non-propagandist associations, really a • cross-section of other organisations of women who know something worth while about their own country, its needs, problems, culture, and achievements, and who,,after preparation and study, bring them to one. centre, and place them before, the

women of other'lands. 'They go' with the <(will to peace,1" and endeavour to show good cause for peace between the varied nations. : ':- ;

Regret is expressed that women do not receive as much social and: political recognition and equality of opportunity in every'country as their general intelli-. gence warrants..; Also, sprobably everywhere, some hard-won ground has been lost during the; past few years 'on account of the'general monetary, depres-. sion^ Yet,' the •women's organisations in each {country keep' a ■'. goqd heart, watch over the trend of. affairs, and. are sgenerally" among :those who; recog; nise" that- the- improvements ~in the general conduct of the world's affairs must come through the young : people. Many would fain srart with.the schools and have each schoofbuild up its pupiis to take their part ( in the world as real and responsible citizens. One of the moat lamentable things, said the speaker, was the 'distressing fact that there are' such * immense numbers of young people turned .out from school with'no "possibility :of entering the ranks of the workers: and starting early into the wonderful world of effort and personal betterment, which is really the right'of each of them. The necessary and gradual deterioration of the workless is pne'; of the -most distressing things of the time, ' and the speaker wondered if'both parents and -teachers combined to do the best possible under the circumstances ana find occupations, perhaps unpaid,, but sufficient, to keep mind and body from rusting. > ; The restlessness of the -worldy the mental instability, and the; insatiable craving for materialcomf ort were mentioned—going-' curiously .side by side with the lack of means, and, therefore, of decent home comfort, and thewortnwhileness of home-making wherever pos-. sible The marvellous force' of public, opinion can hardly be "realised till some, great event brings it forth. . It. is: always desirable:to display.pictures of the fineness of the life which ,U really worth while, because of its efforts towards service, as against that which has no ideals except the enjoyment of ; creature comforts, and the getting of by every possible, means;, for the latter "isl the :story= o f satietyl and: unhappmess and oftentimes ill health, while the former is of such a real happiness .that iHs hard to describe. The suppression of. trutt and,..the;:putting^ forward of damaging statements, either locally or nationally, have .to ,be .considered m these days; when tlere. is the possibility of arousing desperate-ill fear, and hatred among the peoples. The responsibility * or; .'■ 'news" > a .very heavy: one' in, these days. It is, easy enough-to.gather,.but .not so easy to verify The message to the conference was towards hope that the perplexities and:sorrowsdf-today might.be the birth pangs>f a new, eartlrand a,ne.w, humanity because of, their influence w.ith the,young,; wome,n We £ very special Dart-to play, and their effort sHouia be towards truth, power, and love,; endeavouring to;help the* world'towards raising men) and .women of-:ponged - intellect, flaming spirit, courage,: and