The Schemes of Things

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 98, 27 April 1935, Page 19

The Schemes of Things

By M.H.C.

Those.who.have kept in touch with the---proceedings in regard to the nationality, of married women probably have been interested in the fact ■that New Zealand has gone a step further in this matter than any other part j of the British Dominions. It is a fact that should be recognised gladly, and with .appreciation that the Minister of Internal Affairs has taken considerable trouble in ascertaining what could be done; and.also in a general study, of the situation. Mention has been made in the cable.news that this matter has been brought before the British Parliament again and that the demand is "that England in its legislation in' the matter-should, go at least as far as New Zealand!" It is a case of this country,really taking a lead, and many women will be glad of this, as showing readiness here to legislate fairly arid not with any sex bias. Mr. Ramsay MacDoriald's reply in the House of Commons was not encouraging, but it is,unlikely that the British women will allow the matter to:rest at that. For many years, and specially 'during the war period, the manifest unfairness of the regulations have kept all classes of women who take an interest in the laws relating to their own, sex on edge to get some relief. Something like 40 countries are involved, and in all of these women are. asking, for a fairer distribution: of rights.. ■-.•-■ ■■'■ ■"■ . ■'''"■.■ .- ■■''*■. ■ ►'. When German women . married, to Englishmen were accorded full rights of • British citizenship and .Englishwomen1 married to German men were deprived-of-every right.there was, on the one hand, a great deal of trouble made by women who, naturally enough, clung in love to their own homeland, and, on the other, infinite suffering and injustice done to women who also loved-.their country but were thrust forth as aliens on account of marriage. >These facts have rankled in the mind of women ever since, and it is. not likely that women will give up the effort" to have more justice; done; New Zealand has provided that in this co'untrya woman retains1 her birthright as a British subject if she wishes, no matter whom she may marry, • but it has been explained that this right ■ only holds within this Dominion; the woman is.subject to all the humiliating restrictions and questionings once, she is away from here.It • is-a. case of "half a loaf being better than no bread," but it is to be hoped that at the next meeting at Geneva there may be a general move forward. The Hague Convention went sb-far as to provide that when a husband changes his nationality the wife need not do so at all, and must make the move herself if she wishes this to be '.'done;'also that a woman need, not

lose her nationality at once if she cannijit assume that of her husband • on marriage.' So much has been accomplished., Women need not. be nationless at all, as- they have been under certain'circumstances; they are protected to a modified extent. The American law gives .to women the same rights regarding nationality: as men; that is, they,rieed^ not change their nationality on marriage unless they wish to do so arid-have fulfilled .the necessary conditions. One does not hear of any wonderful upheaval' of international la;w from there in consequence, such as, is always hurled as a possibility at women- who. keep, this matter moving in British circles. , America,; so far as one can learn, has lived placidly through the change, and there women have the feeling that they can remaift Americans throughout their lifetime, no matter whom they may marry. The

question of the rights, of children has always been one of adjustment, especially where property belongs to both parents (of different countries), and will, no doubt, continue to be so. But in earlier times this..was done without any loud noise in the world—and will be again. .It is to be hoped that the Old Country will not Consider it undignified to "keep step" with a young Dominion in this matter, but will-take the wider point' of view of justice to half its people in -the. great Empire. It is' worthy of note that a cable message was received this week stating that with the support of the Australian

delegation the International Women's Suffrage Alliance at Istanbul passed a resolution demanding equality in nationality lor women. A rather amusing writer in another city attacks with immense vigour the night noises in a northern city. He is greatly annoyed by the name "siren" as given to the horrible shrieks made by the engines of various kinds that are fitted with these. He points out that sirens, as classically described, were people who gave forth beautiful music to lure the unwary to destruction—and what is the modern siren? The writer says: "The need of whistles to give warding of the approach of locomotives is undeniable, but why j thousands of people should be called] upon from day till night and night till j morning to submit to this ear-splitting, nerve-racking blasphemy of sound is difficult to understand. The marvel to me is that local ruling bodies have apparently not bestirred themselves in the endeavour to get rid of such a nuisance. No Department of Government' has the right to invade a district with any kind of agency that may possibly lessen its attractiveness as a place...of residence." Another writes of the "awful blasts," and points out that numbers of sick people must be disturbed and lessened in nerve re-' sistance—in fact, to'carry out the simile, prevented from recovery, especially by noises in the night. It is a question of fairness again. Sleep is "Natures-sweet restorer," according to the poet, and also according to the medical world. To those whose life depends on a good many hours of quiet sleep, the problem of the engine is a dreadful one, as well as to the people who watch anxiously by the sick beds of those whom they love. Another point of view is that of loss to people who own houses and property near this uncanny, disturbing "blasphemy of sounds." Many people have been driven forth from the neighbourhoods where they obtain, \ and, again, there are many who would' seek a home anywhere but near the places of "dreadful night." The time will undoubtedly come, and soon in these days when the rights of people generally are being better considered, when some way will be evolved by means of which whistles and sirens will be replaced by quieter, methods. -A system of lights, coloured or flared, might well be considered. Throughout England, near many towns, gates are automatically opened and shut by trains, and just as the motorist or other driver approaches the gates quietly shut,' well before/the I train passes. ■ They swing slowly, giving time for cars to be warned and stop, and the level-crossing accidents which are so frequent in other countries do not occur there or at .least so seldom that they.are riot heard of. Great hopes may be built upon the observation of what is;being done in the- Old Country to lessen noise,- for ' New Zealand: does not like to be too far behind, although the furthest off of the Dominions. It is a gallant little country, and "as-; it Jbecomes more and more in touch /with, the improvements and ideas of the-big world outside, so may the people hope for better things in, a number of directibhar-noise first of. all? . :•; -, ," V;v"\'7. ',-'.'- , v : "-M\ }