The Scheme of Things

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 1, 2 January 1937, Page 17

The Scheme of Things

By M.H.C

The world has just entered upon another year, and it is impossible to help .. wondering what, in these surprising ; times, it will bring forth. The pic- , tured New Year, always a little child, .' with the "Wings of God" reflected in its , eyes, is pathetic as it is realised that in twelve short months it will be shown as an old, old man, worn and weary, carrying on his back a great . burden—the sorrows and troubles of- \ the "world, with, maybe a little of the* .sunshine to lighten the load. These ' pictures a're common enough, and they \ serve to make those who think realise the changes that come in the course of '' the little while ere another year is born, and is welcomed in tumultuous.\.ly with but few thoughts of regret for \ the babe of a year ago. There Is a great deal to think about -as each comes and goes. The past year held many surprises. A marvellous eclipse, a most interesting event; ± one that astronomers predicted, almost " to a moment, bringing the respect of -• the most, thoughtless to their learning, ~". and realisation of the immense amount - of. study of the "heavens above and the . earth beneath" before such predict. tions could be made. It was all very well to look on the marvellous sight , through smoked glasses, but the reflection came ''Why has this happened? ", What does it portend? Does it carry ~ cither good or evil in its train?" While ■ learning has increased, and it is a . wonderful and helpful thing nowadays that the .world can be warned of stormy . weather beforehand and comforted with promise of warmth and brightness , also, yekthe causes of all may lie out- • side,. in mysterious region from whence come meteorites of all : sizes, and in remote places. These things remain a mystery, and it is immensely interesting to read of the progress of science in this direction, as well aa in that of many others realis- . inf that it is a very wonderful world . we live in, and in most remarkable . times,. • Looking backward on the unexpect- - ed, comes first the abdication of a King; then the filling of his place with an- • other King—with the welcome person- ■ ality of a Queen—and the world moves on calmly after a storm of feeling, ex- ■■ pressed and unexpressed. The old saying ''Le Roi est mort vive le Roi" was never better exemplified. Plans continue to be made, the surprise fades, and the Empire looks forward again with confidence.in the continuation of -a "Limited Monarchy" as the wisest : form of Government. The tragedy of Abyssinia, which , was • uppermost In the minds of most people for quite a long time, ■. has receded, the waves .of forgetfulness have largely overwhelmed it—

• and the thoughts of the world move on v to Spain. It is impossible to cease thinking of that lovely land, with won- .. derfully beautiful buildings, churches, castle* public halls, all real "treasures of art," being defaced and destroyed, while the valuable pictures and many other treasures of the centuries are being sacrificed in the madness of the peopla themselves. This does not touch tha human tragedies which do not bear

thinking about when it is so impossible to do anything to relieve the horrible and bitter suffering in that tragic land. But when this phase is over, the people will promptly forget— outside Spain, of course, and other interests will take its place. f . This year has been one of discourage-

|ment to women, taking it altogether. The placing them on a fair and "even keel" of nationality has been definitely; turned down so far as British women are concerned. Other nations, which have always been rather looked down I upon by Britishers, patronisingly asj

"less civilised" than themselves, have given their women fair laws in regard to nationality—that is, they may choose, on marriage with an alien, to either retain their own nationality, or take that of their husbands. Some nations give them a period of probation to see if they are desirable people to accept into the full privileges of the country, and others —such as France —take them at once, glad to increase the numbers of the people. It still remains for the British to cast out their women from their nation on marriage with a foreigner, and to accept alien women at once, without inquiry or probation, the moment they marry Englishmen. To women this policy seems devoid of reason and justice. However, while the women of the Empire have played a fine part in so many ways, and are still relied upon as the money-makers for churches and all social service, they are still rejected as citizens on an even base withJhe men of the nation.

So far as this country is concerned, it is notable that educated, thoughtful women from other parts of the world look with surprise and pity at the little privilege accorded to the women of the land—who, it is always mockingly remarked, "were the first to have the vote." And so the story of discouragement goes on. How long the present marvellous patience and decency of women will last is a question of the day. Some think that as the younger women, who are receiving so much education in civics and history and other subjects that lead up to the wider view, grow to years of discretion and feel their powers develop, they will make some sort of less constitutional effort than has been made for the past forty years by the older generation. It would be interesting to look forward fifty years or so, and see what has happened.

If the amount of unpaid service given by women, generously, finely, and willingly for the good of their fellow humans in this land alone were calculated, it would mount up to a most impressive sum in money, while the kindness and thought could never be paid in the coin of any realm. The great thing is not to slacken efforts of service because of discouragement, but to keep in good heart, and look for better things when the younger men come along with a wider ideal of life and less fear of women as rivals in the march of events. When they realise what could be done if all pulled together without fear or favour then will be the time that justice will be done, and far better work accomplished in the world. So, as the pathway of this year is trodden, women must do their best'to raise the standard of their sex, and put up with patience with those who look only to their own comfort j and advantage, satisfied with mere "amusements," and without one ideal worth having. , That there are many such is» well realised, and they add to the weight that other wmen have to carry in the world's economy. But like the unemployable, they are always with us; every country has its share of them, and they largely militate against any kind of equality of citizenship. They can be pointed out as the "drones of the hive." However, the New Year is bound to bring its blessings with its trials, and all are justified in looking forward with confidence to the help which has-been theirs in ages past, and will remain with them in the years to come.