The Problem of the Age

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22628, 16 January 1937, Page 6 (Supplement)

The Problem of the Age

By BART SUTHERLAND

[WHY don't women do something * about it? The question is asked on all .sides when the most pressing problem of our age, the rational settling of international disputes, sinks to a depressing stalemate level through lack of public interest, and no new captains come to urge us omVard. It is n declaration of faith, not so much in the old-time sentimental influence of women over men, as in the knowledge that in their newly-acquired place in world affairs they could be humanity s free lances and soldiers of fortune. Women have already put much energy into peace organisation, both here and overseas. Some oi the societies run bv them have an exclusively feminine membership. A\e have the Women's International League for Peace; the Associated Countrywomen of the World, with its idea that women should spread in the world principles of goodwill; and the Federation of University Women, which approaches the subject from the point of view of mind-training. have, too, the system of interchange of teachers, and the establishment of student hostels in the big cities of the world, whore peoples -of all nations may meet and exchange ideas. As far as mixed societies are concerned,' it is safe to say that a preponderance of the membership of the League of Nations Union—both hero and overseas —consists of women, for the men have fallen away to the false battle-cry of "facing Reality." Individual Responsibility A great responsibility and a great hope, then, rest on all women, not only 011 those with the time and the energy for public work in connection with this vital cause. The individual woman, who may not have the time or the inclination to influence more than a small circle should remember that, in Aluous Huxley's words: "Peace must be first of all 'a personal ethic, a way of life for individuals. . . There exists in Geneva—a subsidiary body to the League —a committee with the highFounding title of "The Committee of Intellectual Co-operation." Put briefly it deals with the mind-training of individuals —especially of children —and the Understanding of the peoples of other countries. It seems to me that every " woman in the world could self-appoint herself a member of the committee. Professor Winifred Cullis, ivlien she was interviewed here, that she agreed with a man who said recently that there should be a huge conference of women from all over the world, and they should affirm that they would not see their sons going out to be slaughtered. One admires the motive; yet out of the depths of conviction one can only say that the women of the world will"not*get peace by just making sweeping statements about what they are not going to do. but by taking time, thought and endeavour over what they are going to do. Man, during his life on earth, has advanced* far in his ideas of honour. To-day we smile at the touchy oddities of a Maori chief who would go to war became a neighbour had made a rude remark about his sacred head. Even the 18th century "hand-on-hilt" attitude of the men of our own race seems ludicrous. We have advanced even since 1914—the devastation of the Great War brought to- the minds of most living men the truth that honour should have for guide, not the old time romanticism and posturing, but the calm sense of reality that looks ahead, and will not let the men of the future down. There is still room for honour on earth; we must have a few simple notions, as Conrad says, to cling to, "if we want to live decently, and would like to die easy." Pr lessor J. B. S. Haldane has said \hat provided man takes his own evolution in hand, in less than a million years he should be as incapable of hate as St. Francis. Realists, 110 doubt, will argue that the very ludicrousness of the time limit renders present effort aimless; but to the idealist the very intensity and doubt of the issue constitute a battle-cry to start right here and now. The work of mind-training is woman's ■work; and she will find a whole lifetime not too long for forming a new code, not only for her children, but for herself. , ~ Personal Hatreds Are you one of those people, euphemistically described by yourself as being "very.sensitive," when you are really just "touchy?" Are you a worshipper of Mammpn ? Are you envious of your neighbours? Do you hold class and racial prejudices? Remember that all these little nastinesses magnified 111 notions make wars. "Prestige." says

What Are Women D

Aklous Huxley, "is iho polite and diplomatic word for pride anil vanity."' A little girl once told me proudly that her mother would not send her to a certain school because there were too many Maoris there. Are you one of these superior people? Or would you not. rather teach your children to say: "I believe that we should treat all members of another race living in our country with the same kindness, friendliness and helpfulness as if they were members of otir own race." This is part of the credo recited bv Australian school children at League of Nations' celebrations. Do you supervise all the colourful, bravo tales that little boys and girls like to read? And do you see that your children appreciate matters from the point of view of others?

There are few Englishmen for whom the record of Trafalgar does not assume the sancity of legendrv; and rightly so, for it was a gallant light, and on that day was stemmed an overweening inhuman ambition. But a reading of the battle from the point of view of the conquered emphasises the true meaning of war.

The Spanish writer, Beneto Galdos, tells the tale of a boy, Gabriel, who sailed out of Cadiz harbour in the Santissima Trinidad to join the battle. So proud was he of her bulk and glory

that ho would not have changed places with Nelson himself on that day. But in all the thrills of preparing for action there was one thing that he could not understand —the emptying of sacks and sacks of sand on the decks. The curious Gabriel asked the boy next him what this was for. "For the blood I" was the cool reply. "For the blood. . . ." And thero passed through Gabriel the first ominous shudder. Then eamo the unbelievable battle, and the standard hauled down. "The glorious flag, the emblem of our honour . . . the firing ceased, and the English took possession of the conquered vessel." The true Englishman feels pride in that terse commemoration of the triumph of his ideals; but for those ivhose ideas have evolved with the age it is that fatal phrase "For the blood," that will echo for ever in the mind. And the women of the world, being made of softer stuff, will be doubly impressed, and think, not merely of the blood of their own sons, but of that of other women's sons as well.