The Scheme of Things By M.H.C.

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 98, 22 October 1938, Page 19

The Scheme of Things By M.H.C.

What a world it is just now! Full of tremendous interests at home and abroad—the' big things abroad, in the way of the recent terrible prospects of war, and the deliverance therefrom;.'and' now the aftermath; of-difficulties and dangers which Sfieah so much to the people at the *ther end of the world. Then closer -^■the elections arid all the excitements which they bring. Thoughts come ix>, women, maybe and hopes that whatever-may, betide things will foe"-'better "for themselves and families. For there is no relaxing in the efforts for charity. There has-been such : a

talk about no one wanting for anything, and yet the "community sings" go, oh ; the collection of clothing for people in circumstances, arid Jail-the of 'charity. These have never stopped at any time, and still go on "\yith unabated vigour, \vhile wbmenkind work away in all the many • societies for the relief of distress, mental and bodily, just the same as ever. It makes' those who think,'wonder if the heed of'these efforts will ever slacken, or if the wonderful time will come when there will be enough for" all arid within reach, of all."It is certain that'there is enough,

and more than enough produced in one way and another, and as for the "kindly fruits of the earth," mentioned so clearly in the Prayerbook, why, they are all there in quantities, and this year in more generous giving than usual. Yet to get a good apple it is necessary to pay twopence each, and the same or more for an orange or lemon. So the story of either waste, or mismanagement goes on, and women ' wonder whether it is ever, going to end. It is small wonder that they long to see more of their own sex in Parliament, for there start the improvements, if any, or the stultifying

of efforts towards betterment as well, most unfortunately. * * * It is all very trying to women in these days, for they think a great deal more than they used to—at least some of them do, a larger proportion perhaps. Therefore there is the evergrowing feeling of discontent with] things as. they are. This is bound to, grow as the girls of today become the j women of tomorrow, and feel the j natural urge to marry and make homes for themselves and have the

joy of families around them—then to find, as soon as they venture forth in any but the smallest way, that they must be "cribbed, cabined, and confined" in a narrow space on account of taxation and the mounting cost of living. It will be very interesting in the next twenty years to find out what the women of the world have made up their minds to do. So far as New Zealand is concerned, while they were being encouraged to think themselves "somebody" while election work was going on, it will be a question whether they .will not be required to retire into very private life when all is settled for the next three years, and they will be relegated to their former humble positions. However, in other parts of the. world things have moved on a good deal faster than here, and accounts of what has been done are most interesting. Of course the totalitarian States are" excspted,

but in other parts of the world women have rather a wonderful time in comparison with what used to be, their lot. A recent traveller who was in Holland was surprised at the part women took in the Government of their homeland, and of their position in all kinds of work which considered the good of other women.anfl all children. They take leading positions in some head departments to do with most kinds of welfare, and, so far as the traveller could judge, the work is extraordinarily, well done, and the women and children of the country are exceptionally well and happy looking, and there seemed . into the bargain very little poverty.