WOMEN’S OPPORTUNITY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9999, 17 June 1918, Page 3

WOMEN’S OPPORTUNITY

To the Editor "N.Z. Times.”

Bir,—"Logic” seems dull of comprehension. May 1 suggest that she read rty letter of the 12th inst. with greater care. There is nothing in it to suggest that we should progress like the crab, therefore, I would be unlikely to take tho viewpoint of Victorian or Elizabethan days as a guide for girls of the 30th century. Women to-day are in a transition stage: they have not adjusted themselves to the economic conditions brought about by the industrial revolution of a century ago. The present trend of education for girls is to train them compulsorily for “motherhood as a vocation,” ancl this training is linked with a corresponding loss of opportunity for an all-round development. Since the industrial revolution womanhood has been degraded by being forced to regard marriage as a trade, and motherhood—the greatest career possible to a human being—is degraded in like proportion. Tho old civilisations of Rome, of Egypt, of Greece, fell because woman allowed herself to bo forced back on sex functions only. She failed to respond to the demands made upon her by a groat civilisation as the mother of the race, as the creator of high ideals. Degeneracy and decay resulted. Our civilisation is threatened in a similar way; but it will not fall if women wake up to a realisation of the enormous responsibilities which rest on them alone. Opportunity for the exercise of their power is coming, in spite of the difficulties set in their path by ignorant obstructionists. Your space is valuable, Mr LMitor. May 1 state hero that I will not again encroach upon it with any further reference to the opinions of "Logic.”—l am. etc.. v L. A. HALVERSON.