THE SOCIAL PROBLEM.

Evening Star, Issue 16514, 28 August 1917, Page 8

THE SOCIAL PROBLEM.

TO THE EDITOK Sir, —I have deliberately refrained from expressing any opinions concerning the above matter so ably dealt with at the women's meeting some little time ago, believing that such a problem should sink into the minds of citizens, because we all have a personal responsibilty as electors in a democratic community. The above matter has to be sternly faced. It is no use Winking facts, for the evil is always with us. ' The point to be considered is: How can the social evil be kept under control, regulated, and minimised? Not much more can be done. Why? Because human nature is real, and not ideal, and our world, with all its imperfections, cannot be run on W.C.T.U. lines. Personally, I think Mrs Lindo Fercuson is to be congratulated for her frankness and courage in facing the facts of an "ancient evil." That lady was on right ground in dipping into history and tracing the lineage of it. No student of sociology would dare contiadict her. A believer in evil evolution is fortified with certain knowledge concerning this problem, and throws senfcimentalism to oblivion. Here we have the same old human nature always with us—a mixture of good and evil. Despite au average of progress, wo si-il-li.v.e-in a, world Qf..-jjreglities. .This, question of the Social Evil .will have to be dealt with broadmindedly, sympathetically, and practically. I am writing as one in a real world, not an ideal one. I bolieve Mrs Ferguson's practical ideas cannot be ignored. We must not let prudery be a stumbling block. An authority has written : "We have come to understand now that many a woman is driven on to the streets not by the strength of her energies, but by the iniquity of our social system. Nor is religion without blame. So long as religious people misunderstand the sex problem, and remain wilfully ignora-nt, they will be luring to swell the number of fallen women."—l "am, etc., Elliott Standfield. August 27. '