A MANGERE LECTURE ON THE "NEW WOMAN."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11163, 8 September 1899, Page 3

A MANGERE LECTURE ON THE "NEW WOMAN."

On tlio 4th iiist. Mr. Townsend, of Auckland, gave a lecture to the Mangere Mutual on the New Woman." There was a very good attendance of members and the public. Mr. E. Allen presided. The lecturer, in the course of his remarks, said that until very lately the rule of physical strength was the general law of human affairs. The recognition of human rights was of modern growth, and in past ages women shared the fate of the physically weak. Her position was that of a slave, yet this had been gradually changed into a milder form of dependence. Now, the old theory of her intellectual and moral inferiority is virtually exploded. Her intellectual equality with man had been amply proved by the educational attainments of women in our colleges, etc. But a new order of women was developing in our midst, a queer compound of idleness and fastness, neglected duties and usurped offices, who because they object to slavery, forget their womanliness. The lecturer humorously described these women aping men in dress and manner. Apparently they held that a lectureroom, where professors discuss the origin of species was far in advance of the nursery. Ridiculing _ the idea that woman's highest mission was fulfilled by means of marriage and maternity, these women persisted in knocking at the door of all man's offices, and sought to push him from his special place in the world. Those who were clamouring for work were precisely those who often left undone that which nature and sooiety specially assign them. The lecturer gave vivid and humorous descriptions of the different types of the objectionable new woman, under the heads of the wild woman who exhibited liberty broadened into lawlessness the fine lady who imagines herself born into the world only for her own pleasure, to trifle with dainty inutilities, but to do no real work; the intellectual woman, the masouline woman, etc. Mr. Townsend held that there was a great future before woman, a very much larger area of work, in increased power of selfsupport and equality, not likeness, with man. Here lay the mistakes made by many of the aspiring and noble of the new women. Equality was what every large-minded man would wish to find in woman, but not likeness. The masculine woman, who made herself a bad copy of a man, was repulsive. Women were dissatisfied with many things at present, but the remedy lay in their own hands. They must work towards a higher goal, with earnestness of purpose, not clinging to their faults as to so many special graces, thinking themselves most lovely when they are most useless, and most interesting in exact proportion to their weakness and vanity. Considerable discussion took place at the close of the lecture, and a hearty vote of thanks to the lecturer was carried by acclamation.

THE BIRKENHEAD SCENERY PRESERVATION SOCIETY. A public meoting of residents of the Birkenhead borough was held in the Zion Hill schoolroom on Septemhef 6, to form a Scenery Preservation Society. Mr. J. R. Gascoigno occupied the chair. On the

motion of Mr. E. Bell, it was resolved, "That a society be formed, to be called the Birkenhead Scenery Preservation Society." The following officers were elected:—President, the Mayor of Birkenhead: vice-presi-dents, Messrs. J. R. Gascoigne, rhilson, and Speedy; secretary, Mr. Prior;; treasurer, Mr. Taylor, jun.; committee, Messrs. J. H. Witheford. K. Bell, H. Jones, H. M. Shepherd, A. Keyes, G. Johnston, J. Johnson, D. Swindale, J. Harris, E. J. White, A. White, E. Chaniptaloup, J. G. Kay, A. Riddle, W. Bagot, 0. Gunman, McPhail, Thompson (2), Downs, and Taylor, sen. Rules were drafted to bo adopted at the next meeting. Resolved, "Tlnl the subscription be 2s 6d for members, and 10s for honorary members." The secretary was instructed to call the next meeting within a fortnight.

WOMEN'S DEMOCRATIC UNION. The usual meeting of the Women's Democratic I'nion was held on Tuesday evening. It. was decided that the union hold a meeting in conjunction with the Women's Political League, to hoar Mr. R. Hunt's views on electric trams for Auckland. A letter was received from one of the trustees of the Costley Training Home, pointing out that the institution was managed strictly in accordance with tho Act of Parliament passed in 1885: also, that many girls maintained out of tho funds had been taught trades instead of being sent to service. A letter was also received from the Charitable Aid Board, stating that the eight hours' system had been practised in tho fever wards at the hospital siuce 1897. and that only two nurses had contracted typhoid this year. The members of the union expressed the hope that the lime will soon arrive when the Board will bo enabled to grant an eight hours' day to all the nurses employed at the hospital.