TOPICS OF THE HOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18025, 25 February 1922, Page 4 (Supplement)

TOPICS OF THE HOUR.

BY VIVIEN.

In every normal family, whether among the races of the East or those of the West, whether high or low, rich or poor, the marriage of a daughter of the house, especially of an .only daughter, is an event in .its history, a matter for private rejoicing and general congratulations, albeit a strong affection between parents and child may shadow the joy of the occasion with a faint tinge of wistful sadness as well. The marriage of a princess of the realm, however, is something more than a private joy. It is an event of national importance, a matter for widespread public rejoicing, an occasion to be marked by merrymaking and festivity throughput- the Empire. For the daughters of kings Tnay not. ■screen; 4hcir joys and sorrows beneath that veil of privacy and reserve with which otoer people may, if they be so, disposed, protect their inmost thoughts and emotions from the world's merciless gaze.

Hence it is that, amid all the pomp and ceremony which will attend the marriage of the much-loved Royal bride, Princess Mary, amid all the splendours of a 'regal trousseau and the richness and profusion of costly wedding gifts, probably no detail has so much appealed to tho heart of the nation as- the simple tenderness and dignity of the King's statement that " everything had been conducted as in a private family." And again, to a public which beneath its British reserves, is deeply -loyal in its regard for the sanctity of family life and passionately sentimental in its point of view, no aspect of the Royal betrothal and wedding has been so dear as that afforded by the knowledge that the Princess is marrying the husband of her choice, and that unlike so many of her Royal predecessors, she atleast is contracting a union glorified by a tender halo of romance.

The opening of*the Rfesington Women's Institute, which has the distinction of being the first institute to be established in New Zealand, iind which recently held its first animal general meeting at Hastings, has given an additional fillip to the interest already roused in this country in the extraordinary growth and success of the Women's Institute movement in Canada, and afterwards in England. It js now twenty years ago since the first Women's Institute, born of loneliness and a desire for inntual help and companionship and friendly intercourse on the part of a few women, came into actual existence in a lonely country district., in Canada ; and during that time the movement has extended, not only all over Canada, but all over England and Wales as well.

That the establishment of these institutes must be supplying a need long felt by women in remote country districts all over the world, is fully evidenced by the fact that in England alone 2127 branches, with a membership of 200,000 women, have been established in the short space of six years. In each district or village the monthly programme of wort and amusement, inclfldimgj the "teaching, of various arts and crafts, entertainments, m\i, lectures on educational affaire or matters of general interest, is modified to suit local tasks and requirements. In each centre the membership includes •women of all classes, irrespective of birth, social position, or creed. Such a movement, founded on broad, democratic principles, and based' on a : mutbal desire to infuse a little warmth and colour and brightness into ionely, monotonous lives, must make for sympathy and encouragement, interest and development, a deeper' knowledge, a wider horizon and a greater breadth of vision among all the women in the scattered, isolated, outposts of tho world. Hence it is to bo hoped thai* this new venture in Hastings may meet with all the success which has attended institutes elsewhere, and may 'consequently- inspire people in many other districts to follow suit. ->.- ••' -y. ' *

Apropos of monotony, it is in very' Jb"utjj._tp9 OTgent: desirei £ftgintroduce a litilg change and variety into the monot-onontsanuL-of-.everydayJifer-tte. natural human- craving for a task 'of excitement and adventure and romance, the passionate longing for something strange or unusual to glorify the commonplace drabness.cf existence, which is chiefly responsible for th 6 immense popularity of the serial story, especially amid the feminine community. The average mistress of a small borne has too often very little time or opportunity for reading. Even when the chance of a few moments does present itself, she is frequently too tired to find recreation, in a really " worth-while" novel, much less to rouee herself ■to take an intelligent interest in a book of higher literary or intellectual quality. The serial story, on the other band, roose3 just the necessary amount of interest, supplies just the_ spice of adnmture, the dash of excitement, the flavour of romance, that are needed to introduce a touch of colour into a grey 'day. Above all, it provokes speculation, and stimulates interest and enthusiasm, because it always breaks off with a provocative "To be continued" in the midst of an exciting adventure, or a complicated situation, upon ■which imagination is left jto run riot until to-morrow.