EMMELINE'S COSY CORNER CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 2849, 21 October 1908, Page 72

EMMELINE'S COSY CORNER CLUB.

SESSION 1908. FOURTH MEETING. TOPIC. ' " Woman end Socialism." — At this meeting Emmeline would like to hear all Ac members of both sexes on the •übiect o£ Socialism. What " «»« tru » ! Socialism? and what part should women t»k» in bringing it about? My Dear Comrades,— l shall, I think, Teserve any opening remarks till the close of our meeting— if I may be permaUed such «n -Irishism! At present so few papers flave come in that I fear the topic of Socialism is not a popular one with you. However, we riutfl see. Meantime, acre is "Kerani, with a very sensible and (according to my view) correct definition of the only reai Socialism— "' Looking unto the things of thy neighbour." Dear Emmeline,— You ask. What is the true Socialism? Suppose we first try to get a glimpse of its antithesis. Supposing, now, that I am a farmer with a horse to sell which my neighbour wishes to buy, because he is late with his -work and his team is weak. .Horses are- scarce, and because my neighbour is in urgent need, I put five or ten. pounds on to the price. That, I take it, is individualism. I ami scheming for the bsnefit of one individual, and that individual is myself. Now, to get a view of the other side, let us suppose that I am secretary and organiser of a labour union, whose members, numbering perhaps- a thousand or two, are mostly employed by one fiim, at present engaged on some large contracts, and bound to time. I see this to be an opportunity for demanding an advance in wages, and, as the firm are not able to grant it without Ices, I persuade the union to ordeT » strike, and post pickets with private instructions to crack the crowns of all blacklegs, if they get the chance. This, you will perceive, is Socialism of a very ordinary brand, but, bo far as any own private opinion goes, I feel doubtful if the morality of it is much) higher than the morality of the other thing. If we want the ideal Socialism, I suspect we will have to go to the New Testament for it. In (he ideal state, employer and> employee will each strive to love his neighbour as himself, and each will reccgniee the other class as being his neighbour just as truly as his own class. I have a suspicion that if businesses were all conducted; on New Testament principles there could not be- so many princely benefactions na there are at Ihe present day. and ako there would not be the same need of them ; and 1 when I read that one-third of the population of the British Isles are in the grip of poverty, I feel a perceptible amount of sympathy with Socialism! of any brand. On the other hand, when I see employees spending freely on "thedr own desires, whi'e there is no effort for economy in tieir homes, and at the same time trying td screw the highest possible out of an employer who is, perhaps, all things considered, no better off than themselves, I b9gin to see need for teaching to the rising* generation certain old-fashioned precepts (I think there used to be 10 of them), witb) special emphasis on one that began, "Thou shalt not covet." Legislation may be necessary to palliate the evils that follow in the train of our competitive commerciaJ system, which has been justly called "war on the industrial plane," but it cannot compel the j individual to do his whole duty to his | fellow-creature. ' State ownership of tho 1 6ources of production will not prevent such) cases as this. An employee working on a stage in the roof of a. building stretches himself out with the intention of taking 40 j winks ; at the thirty-ninth he tumbles ofl j tht. stage, breaks- his neck, or eomething) else, and ihen claims compensation for injuries received — and gets it. His fellow! workmen discreetly hold their tongues, in case they may need a good turn from him on a future occasion, or because they are forbidden to iniorm against «. comrade. The. true Socialism, (hat tries to look at every bargain from both sides, tries to give good value for what ie received 1 , and feels unwilling to profit b\ the other rn^n'g loss, will come enly wn e n Christianity has luted the r«ce to a higher moral level. It , can hardly come wh.la professing Christians, especia.Lv those m comfortable circunafit*nc«e», are known to bs in the habit oB driving as herd / bargain as those than are be^cua ii^ p«,.c ot tijc churches KEEANL & ~

The forcible illustrations you give of the different aspects of Socialism are more effective than pages of argument, Kerani. j I have always maintained that there is as much selfishness in the popular Socialist \ &a there is in the aristocrat or the capitalist whom he sseks to overthrow. •Is it not "every man for himself"? — and ycu know the rest. Th c Socialist has nothing of his own, but proposes to divide with admirable equality what is not his — a not uncommon form of generosity. Perhaps you noticed tiia following from Punch anent ths English old-age pensions scheme? The same idea of giving away other people's goods obtains in politics, and ihe individual waxes liberal at the Government* expense: — "The New Altruism. — Labour M.P. : 'My poor friend, here's five shillings for you.' Life-long Loafer: 'Gawd bless yer, guvnor! Cjty Merchant : ' Here, hang , it. that's my money!' Labour M.P. : 'Yes, I know: But it's my idea!' " THE TRUE SOCIALISM. "Well," said Emmeline, "it ccmes to this, corrrra-des: We wili be Socialists on a , strictly sociable — no, I mean, socialistic — plan. We will meet onoe a week, and our olub will be ivamed the "Claiming Comrades' , Chattels. Combine." " Our motto is, "What's '• mine's thine. ' and -what's thine's mine.' What one ha* another must have. Are | you agreed?" A murmur from each and all gave prompi answer, but as it faded , Lex -was heard to TAmark that he really flidn't care about having a. hat like Gnib's, trimmed with two ostriches and a turnip, and the murmur swelled to a roar* as the ladies of the party explained it was .not a turnip but a fashionable hat-pin, and the feathers -were just ""chic," and nothing eke. EmineJine here made objection to personalities ; bnt. as Alpha sagely remarked, they were- only talking of what now be 5 * longed to' themselves, so no one couJd mind that. A diversion was here caused by tea Wing brought in, when disputes again arose as to who was sufficiently hostess to pour it out. As Emmeline. previous to the formation of the C.C.C.C., -owned the room and the tea. Jack and Hochelaga. thought she might be allowed to do^ the honour*. But the members for the most part agreed that the old order had better change at once. So- each made their own, Ted: putting «ome cake in her reticule to save making any when she got home. "By Jove!" exclaimed Boy Friend, "that pianola is just what I want, Emmeline. I think I'll have it for a bit. I'll send round to-night for it." " But I was wanting it, ' expostulated Madge, "and I've as much right to it as you, so you keep it two days acd then bring it to me." Emmeline had only had it a, week, and explained that she wasn't a bit tired of it. But the club promptly quoted their motto, and she retired to lock it and lose the key while the combatants of the Claiming Comrades' Chattels Combine arranged the order in which they should have it. " I've got an appointment soon," began Eangiora, "so I'll have to go." Country Mouse wanted to know where and what it was. in case it- was anything she wished to have, and Rangiora took so long explaining that she found ihe time was up before ehe had finished. None of the club felt inclined to take their share of the appointment, which happened tc be collecting for a bazaar, so turned their attention to an, argument over a theatre ticket which Gypsy had, and which both Shasta, and Sweetbriar were claiming. Val. kindly suggested to Kangiora that as Marjories bicycle was in the hall she had belter take that, and she did so. Smreetbriar, who had come off <k-iuim-phantly with the theatre ticket, thought too it- was time to leave, and Taffy, taking ai beautiful china dog off the mantelpiece, stuffed it into his pocket as he came to bidi Emmeline good-bye, explaining as he did so that it was entirely unlike any other dog he'd ever seen, and he wanted to -^ive it to tho Zoo. Ted and Gnib waved farewell hurriedly, as they wished to be first downstairs to claim Kerani's motor car, which stood at the door. Gabrielle had; presence of mind enough to snatch up Alpha's fur-lined oloai before she tumbled headlong after them. Alpha made a hasty exit after the cloak, only to find Kerani dejected in the hall, and) the car vanishing with its new owners-. The remaining members left one by one, -Welshman stopping long enough to ring up ci cab to come, so that she could carry home in triumph the lovely wax flowers under their glass shade which usually stood on the table in Erumeline's drawing room. As Emmeline watched Oscar, the last of the band, struggling downstairs with the "Encyclopaedia Britanniea," she sighed, and, looking round her dismantled zoom, began to wonder if "What's mine's mine" was not a better motto than, "What's mine's thine."A WEEK LATER. Dear Emmeline, — It was a Weak day. and Taffy, hurrying down to the Claiming Comrades' Ch«ttk3 Combine, ran into Kera;ni> before he knew it. Kerani hs>d toothache, and he said so. Taffy stamped. " Hang you!" he said, "why didn't you keep out of my -vray? I've just been, having chilblain* with Gnib and « bilious attack wit!i Sweetbjiar, andi I'm fulr \;p of sharing thing*, unless — are you taking whisky for it. eh?" " I'mi going to have it out," said Kerani. "No, you don't! I had one out with Elsie la#t week, and I've get to take gas- with Emmelin& to-morro-w. I'll b© gummy «.s »n old sheep if this goe<* on. Jove! here are Inconnu and Vsll, and/ Val's arm is in a sling. Your turn, Kerani; I pass. But if it's a broken, arm, I'll break it for you before you get me down to the dentist's." But \al s accident was from a boiling kettle, and, as Inconnu refused to be a, true Socialist, Kerani went with them to find the kettle— iand perhaps some tea at the C.C.C.C. Here ,were all the membeis foregathered, and a, large disorder prevailed 1 , i^mmelme was now a, member only, and in Hochelaga's hat and Gabrielle'a rain-coat % w i. a 8 c 0"""* fancy buttons and charms and hat pins unobtrusively. The uproar was tremendous when it was discovered that Ted- had gone off with the tea service last week, and the difficulty of persuading anyone to go out and borrow pannikins very nearly ended the meeting. "In my opinion," began Boy Friend. "Hush," cried Hochelag*; "you mustn't say that. Is it everyone's opinion?" "I can't say till I find out," complained Boy Friend. You must find out flret," said' Emmeline I can t allow any of my members to have *. whole, opinion to himself. It would be selfish. Just think of all the poor people in the world without any opinions." "Your members?" said Lex, pocketing a box of matches from the mantelpiece. "We are all equal members, of the great socialistic body Ouch! ouch! I've got cramp! I say, I m awfully jgorry you"re ill here.'-' "So are ire,' tfried Gypsy, as tie lull C.C.C.C. began to groan and writhe in the gnn of ftl very sevefe- cramp. Just thei}, the maid brought in tea, arid her stffied laugh as she tripped out again, leaving the groaners on the flogr, roused Eve to objection. "She 3°eE2i t belor-s to tjie CCCC," eh© cHeh, so it* daeiii't h»ve to have ciamD. because

f Lex got his feet wet!" "She can wear her own clothes!" cried Happy, wrenching off a mangy fur of Ted's and a sou-wester belonging- to Oscar. " I'd like to wear my own again. On'iy everybody -else has got 'em." "Bother clothes!" said the Welshman. " I'm not going to give back_ Elsie's umbrella and Madge's goloshes and Kerani's autograph, book. I think Socialism is a, great idea." "So do I!" &aid Shasta, annexing the Welshman's gloves. Here the "Welshman ve-ered round like a windmill. ' Give those back!" she cried. "Why s-hould she?" said! Adah*; 'they're not) yours." " I think," began Emmeline. and Country Mouse chipped in: ''You can't think!" she said. "What right have you i-o usurp a thought? Someone else might; •want it." Here the members sighed and! arank tea out of each other's pannikins) in silence, until Madge objected' to Taffy's brew with no milk and five lumps of sugar. Then Emme!iue went round with the subscription box, for tlie had not yet go'a accustomed to leaving- everything- to^ be done by others. " I paid for the tea and cakes," she said. "Now, you've all got to siunrp up lik9 true Socialists. A bob each — come on!" Emmeline had taken Taffy's slang, leaving him such words as "pretty and "nice,"- whioh he often lost lihe run of. Lex •stood up with, his hands in, his pockets. "-Er — don't you think Socialism is rather over-done?" he asked. "I've left my purse at home." f "Sorry," said Gnib. "Here's ail I've got," said Anchoress, tossing over I Jack's purse. " I ate very litiile," objected! Kerani. "It made my toothache worEe, too." Emmeline rattled the box. " I've nothing left- in my rooms but a- broken window and a doyJey," she said, "and all I've> got in exchange is the Welshman's banjo;' wihich I can't play, and Boy Friend's pipe, which I can't smoke. I don't think much of Socialism, either." The members looked j round the bare room. "We might hold the next meeting at Alpha's," suggested Happy. ' "I'm going away for a month," said Alpha. I hastily. "Or Val's," said Boy Friend. "I j think we're going to have scarlet fever or the plague next week," said Val. " I i haven't got much left, anyway. I had a j C.C.C.C. surprise party the other night." ■Lex pulled Emmeline's pet canary from his pocket. "Here's my ante-up to the poor," he said. " I'm off Socialism. I want some of my things back." In five minutes Emmeline' s table was cohered with photograph frames, chair-cushions, vases, pictures, and so on, which had seen the Insides cf many houses since she lost them. Green Tuj laid down the pianola key. "That's all I've got," she said; "Jack and Marjorie came to call yssterday. You gei> some I O TJ's from, them." "And thus," said Rangiora solemnly, "we drop the last | C and go back to the Cosy Corner Club "again." "Hip, hip!" shouted the members, and Emmeline, purring oveT her tableful, added '.'Hooray!" with deep feeling. GNIB, TED. Yes, "Hurrah!-" says Enameline fox the J jolliest bit of fooling we've had for many \ 9. long day. But, really, girls, you have | demoralised me completely — how can I be j solemn again? — how recollect aU those wise reflections and quotations which 1 have been storing up for the due con eidera lion of our topic to-day? Emmeline's "wax flowers under a ghpde" and her lost vocabulary of "nice" and "pretty," Ted's "mangy fur," and the misadventures of Sweetbriar andi Inconnu! No, it's no .use. After giggling helplessly, with now and then a good peal of laughter. Take the laurel wreath of ths club (so dear and geed and improving), and 7 be "our merrymakers." • • • • » Dear Emmeline. — You propound two questions for our consideration: What is the true Socialism? What part should women take ia bringing it about? The answer to the second question, is dependent on that to the first. If we decide that "the true Socialism" — i.et, the social methods thaii Socialists are striving to realise — is lik«ily to be injurious, then our answer to the second must b3 "No part whatever." I believe that many are, or think they are, Socialists because they have very vague ideas to what Socialism, means. To some it is synonymous with social reform. Naturally, then, they term themselves Socialists. - Who>, looking at Jie many evils of society even in this favoured land, would- be content that things should ever remain, as they are? An^r when one considers the poverty and degradation, ihe utter hopelessness of the lives of millions in older countries, and the possibility that in coining years these terrible conditionsmay be repeated in our country, one feels ready to welcome any scheme that promises to remove and to prevent such evils. Many Socialist writers conduce to vagueness of thinking about Socialism., for they expend most of their energy' in denouncing existing evils, against which, many anti-Socialists are striving more effectively than they, while they are extremely indefinite as to what methods they wish to substitute for the present ones. Walla, in his latest book, "New Worlds for Old," defines Socialism as " s great intellectual process, a development of desires and ideas that take the form of a project for the reshaping of human society upon new and better lines. No one, not any of the multimillionaires ko much denounced by Socialists, can object to this project. If this is aJJ Socialism mean?, then, indeed, as the tf-mg i a reported to have once said "We are all Socia-lieU.' But I venture to eaV no one can find such a. definition, helpful «eUs, in the course of the book, does make the aims of Socialists somewhat clearer mofl.r^ %\l ° n * of , iht ablest * nd »«»* moderate of those professing Socialism, one may take his proposals, so far as he makes it a en^; ear ' !** representing Socialism in n lea £ o,^°f cr ste5 te f^ rm - S^ialism, then, h™ r a ,, la ? d and capital shall be nationalised a!l businesses shall be conducted) iL *Z q**!' tead of for P riVßte p rofi t, «e\£? & n at t5- lhrou fh "3" 3 inspectors, is to see that all citjzens sbape their lives accord- % S 4i}° deternun «l standards Now, many of the clearest thinkers of the day are con-vinced-aad . I think rightly-ihat for private enterprise to -be destroyed and people generally to be deprived or personal incentive to exertion would bring about stagnation and nioral deterioration. Wells and. other Socialists, of course, pour scorn on. the idea, that 'selfieh" motives are necessary to incite to exertion. All I can say is thai I have known two or tibree professed So 4 cmhsts, and have rot found 1 t.'iem less swayed" by private interests than others. Moreover, the strongest motive of all is the love of family, wife, and children; this is not selfish." Socialism: would make the lot of wife and children independent of the exertions of the husband and father. Women iave special reason to be careful in examining tho teaching? of Socialism., For it is woman's deepest interest to preserve the 6Rcredneß9 of the marriage tie and the inviolability of home life. Now, many Socialists are in favour of making marriage a matter of p«reonal convenience, terminable at will. And even the more moderate ones, as Mr Wells, by tho regulations they propose to ensure tljat all children stall be properly caied for, would injure, family hie.

As to what women should do regarding Socialism, my idea is that they shoiild get clear ideas as to what it means; and to thia end should train, themselves to examine and to judge. And as to what they should do to make the world better, let every woman think how her actions affect fchei world. Let her fir3t fulfil all the special duties of iier place in life, and further, those which she owes «s a citizen and tt member of the great human family. It ia only by men and women singly becoming wiser and better that the world can be made better. — Yours truly, ALPHA. It seems, Alpha, as if we were all very much of on« mind concerning what is the true Socialism. Moreover, that it is, in its essence or spirit, contained in various pithy, sentences from, one of our very old books. Just as true is it taat this ideal Socialism, spiritual Socialism, as embodied in the Divin« precept, is quite a different thing from the Socialism of Blatchford in England 1 , Pritchard and Fitzgerald in New Zealand 1 . I may bs wrong, but it seems to me tihatt „ social equality ia as absolute a, chimera/ as intellectual equality, and the true and only workable Socialism is that which, working from within instead of without, ahali bring us eaoh to "Consider the things" of our neighbours, sharing such blessings, possessions, or attainments, as we have with those who have v uot — most of aVL sharing ourselves. If the rich wei>e all of this mind individually., and we every-d«y. folk, especially women folk, were each one individually bent on fulfilling the role laid down in your _ last ' paragraph,, the Socialism- of construction would be so firmiJy established; as not to need the Socialism of Destruction. Dear Emmeline. — Socialism is the doctrine that * community- of interests is the. best form of society. Socialism is i-he— doctrine taught by an; enthusiast named Robert Owen, who proposed- to reorganise society by banishing old motives of action, including religion. «nd to establish the social edifice on tha basia of co-operation and. mutual usefulness. Mrs Besant says that tde. next great stageof civilisation wiM be socialistic. But the ' says that unless the leaders of the Socialist* party are educated' far beyond the ma«sea that they lead, and unless ihoee masses understand that wisdom should give autho- - rity. all schemes must be wrecked; unless it ba possible to fr-av.a a Socialism- where the wisest should guide, plan, - and direct, she does not sea that the mere change of econoinio conditions will make things much! better than they are to-day. Dr Beatty* Crozier maintains that Marxian Socialism can "never get itself established except on the -ruins of Liberty, and that the human race would under his system eitheir die of boredom and disgust or abandon it9elf to vice." That kind of Socialism has been tried, but it has always failed to accomplish any good. True Socialism is: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." and "Do unto others as you would b*ve tliem do to you." Women can help +0 bring it about by living noble, womanly lives, and by discountenancing tihose class distinctions which are .really responsible for much of the revolutionary Socialism of the - day. SWEETBRIAR. Now, that last point of yours is a very strong one, I consider, against any bud the very poorest class of women ever be--coming real Socialists. Sweet briar. It is "Society." as opposed to "Socialism." which) in _&H its class distinction, its petty ambitions, little striving, careless cruelties., is ordered and upheld by women. Yet I cannot see that social distinctions can. ever ha don? away with. I nm by no means persuaded that the rorid would be a better or more interesting place to live ia if they were. We need change, ww reed reform — in ourselves. Wiien all the wiee law<» «re made, and theperfeci theories propounded, there still remains human* nature to contend with. Socialism, to W effective, must spring from the uplift of the race. It is the very thing which th* churches, one and all. should be the head ceMtres of; it is the very leaven which eacJ* mother, living her own life tad moulding* her children's— not by her words, but by deeds.— should b e "the little leaven, leaven- . nig the whole." The rich woman may give her money, or, what her money -can buy, to help all cround her. The clever womatri may give her ability, and the blessed power to put into words, into active practice the beautiful thoughts or clever plans that may be more preoious-. than any mere money. When this, is done, there would I>b few» women so poor but what Uwv could give to each other's cheer and comfort the very highest thing there is to - give — oneself. So it must be aM giving — of lov«, beginning at the top — for there will always be a top — and filtering through to the bottom. Ia such a state of things, though there would b e inequality, there would be no bitterness 1 because there would be universal service. A3 to women's part in bringing it about, 1 your words are as true as they ere etimulat* ing, dear Sweetbriar. • . -. • V To d~o good is my religion. Every man is my brother. The world is my country. — R. Blatchfor*. Dear Emmeline, — It is quite true that we are becoming a mercenary peopTe, everything is judged by a money standard. lit is not what a- person is that counts — it! is what he lias. If the tendency towards money-grabbing ia to be- checked, the impulse towards a higher ideal of life mugfl be given by the women of the nation. Iti ig quite evident that women are not satisfied with things as they are, and! that they do demand a higher standard of living. Why should women be satisfied wi!h social conditions under which one woman toils and slavey in miserable surroundings for a) few farthings daily, while another woman spends money royally for her own eelfisbt enjoyment. Why should one woman's child be allowed to die of starvation, while another woman spend 3 pounds on cream for her pet dog? Why shou'd a woman have to choose between, death from cold and/ hunger and a life of shame? Why should one woman's husband be a millionaire, while hundreds of other women's husbands, ragged and hungiy, tramp the streets in vain; • search for work? Men are willing and able to work, but there is no place for them,

and in times of industrial strife it is the women and children who suffer most. Some Socialism provides a better answer to these troublesome questions than any scheme yet brought forward. If the Socialists dreams were to come true, woman's position would b» very much better. In the first place, freedom from pecuniary difficulties would snesn. the right to marry or remain single according to choice. Then, each one could choose the work best suited to her. No useful work would be considered degrading, and all work faithfully done is useful work. Mothers would be relieved from all unnecessary work to enable them to devote their time to the' cfcjtdren. For the first few years of his life a- child would belong absolutely to his mother. She would care for Mm and. teach him all he needed to know naturally "without any cramming. When lie -was " old enough to benefit by special training, he would, be thoroughly taught that which 'he most desired to learn. If a boy wished to learn engineering, he would be taught engineering, and if it should be necessary for him to do other work for the good of the community he would be taughi that work also. When he undertook men's ■work, four hours .would be spent at Bistrade and the rest of the day at his chosen sfnd;. Alt work would be done for 'are of the work itself, and- men would take a pride iH doing their very bestl The problem of sanitation would bs solved and infectious diseaess would be unknown, wibile belter housing and more sensible living would j greatly improve the general health o* the j people. £1 doing away with the n-Qney ! stand***!, " rite strongest incentive to crime i wculd be done away wiiii.too, for it is for gain of gold that most crimes are committed. It the great gulf between .he real life and the ideal life- is->ever to be bridged over, women must become idealists. They must b'liev-e that ths world can be -made better, and see things nor^as they are, but as they' might be. Think what /life wcu.'.d mean it every woman made her little corner oi the universe better and brighter than the found it. Think what life might be if . women - understood the greatest of all arts — the art of living. SHASTA. Yes, it opens up a lovely vista of delight, Shasta. But if women are to take their real part in .the evolution of a true Socialism — which is, by the way, a. true Christianity, — I fancy they must become realists, not idealists. AireaSiy, Siiasta, are we not idealists, taking shelter always from the work, worry, or perplexity of, the present, either in the joys of the past, or the hopes of the future? I fancy we women see the future of society as it might, be, a vague and beautiful dream, a mental and physical Utopia, but I am- not so sure th-a.'i we see the tremendous tiiare 'that we women, must taka in bringing about that future, turning the ideal into ifie real. The lines you quoie as expressing B.atohford'3 gospel of life are very fine in lii-emEelves, but I confess I am not in love with many of Blatchford's doctrines. For example, his ideas o£ marriage are no more to my liking than WeßsV ideas as to the State control" of children. Of course, wh«t we have to remstnber in ail the utterances of Socialists' in'oldsr countries is "that ihey speak of and frcm ccadiiions of lifa whi;h are not and never jan. bs possible in a country with tuck legislation as ours. And do you npt think,, Shasta, that the opening of all ' professions and businesses to has already freed them from the necessity of marriage as a means of securing a home for themselves? There is the other side of the qu«riion. you know; dear, the flooding of the 'labour market with female labour, which, though uncertain, is cheap, and the industrial competition which is thus whetted to its keenest. I agree with you. entirely as to th» need for woman's influence in checking^ the money-grabbing tendencies of the age. but it seems to me that tlieir •endeavours want focussing by deeper knowledge of the questions oi the day, though meantime they may accomplish much by individual life. • • . Dear Emmeline, — Of the Socialism sbou'., which so much is spoken and written nowadays, _ I must confess I know very iiiil-e. T<he different ideas and arguments seem to me so confused and conflicting that I am quite willing; to leave the discussion of them »o cleverer brains and abler* pens than mine; bat this I would like to say concerning woman's part in anyihing that works for the improvement of society — let us begin with our children. Most women have neither time nor opportunity to use their ' influence to any great extent outside their own homes. Let us ihen strive to do our beat with our own circle — leading and helping and training the younger to live for happiness and usefulness, to be happy in making ethers happy, and to make themselves useful in every possible way. . So will the world be the better for the lives ff live, "kindly affectioned one -to another with brotherly love, in honour preferring) one another." KOA. Talcing the sum total of our gentle, if somewhat vague, definitions of the "true Socialism," Koa. does it net amount to the true Christianity? Every argument for the uplift of the race, the voluntary sharing oi means and breins has had for its basis the real sacrament of real life: This do, in remembrance of Me. TJnlike the Buddhist, whose every action ia his gentle, kindly life is done to "acquire merit. ' and secure for his own soul the Period. Peace, we have baen planning for the benefit of others apart from our own advantage, which is the distinguishing spirit of real Christianity. Your contribution is short and most tnodast. but I think you have embodied the jpart that women may and should — without delay — take in the coming Socialism. t Dear Emmeline, — True- Socialism, like ■irue charity, must begin at home, and in the bringing about of the ideal social world, woman must occupy a very great part, not in public, but private, life. In the first place, every ' woman must be brought to realise that on her depends a great deal of the happiness of the universe. If she be a mothei, then "in training her children to do right, an caring for her household, ia providing work and pleasure for her family, ehe occupies one of the noblest and mosthappy positions in the world. If she is not a mother, upon her someone will look as an example, and she must be careful as to the one she sets them. I'm afraid my sympathies are not always to -the public woman, who neglects other nearer duties; tothose who have time to devote to both public and private, it is different. If a| woman seeks happiness in adopting Marie Corelli's sentiments, she seeks a vain pursuit. In every woman's nature there caJls forth a longing to be cared for ; she may disguise it from heTself^and the rest of manKind, but Nature gave it to her. and Nature never lies. In the ideal social world, each of us must realise the dependence of each other, we must respect ourselves as well es vi neighbours, and she who truly respects herself can do nothin mean or wroa. Ye each have our own idea as to the ideal social world, we each can suggest a remedy to bring it about, but after all more depends on our private life than our government. if our homes axe ideal, if we are taught to

have a true sense of our duties to each) other, the rest will follow all in due course. From the ideal homes will come the ideal people, be they rich or poor, and from an ideal people will come an ideal country, and upon the women of the world a great part of it rests. I seem to have traversed pretty well in notes to previous members, Elsie, all the points that show how thoroughly I am in agieement with you. I like your expression of opinion very much. • • « • I Dear Emineline, — From earlier ciays the I doggerel rhyme came down ; " "When Adam delved and Eve 'span, Who was then the gentleman?" And we often forget that Adam was a gentleman to all intents and purposes, though we must admit that his accusation of Eve made his gentlemanliness questionable. Woman's position in respect to Socialism is not to be defined, but to be found and lived When the true lady arrives she will feel and teach by example and life that the ' rinsing- of dishes a*nd "the scrubbing of floors is as needful and honourable, co it be done honestly and thoroughly, as the pursuit of art, science, music, or medicine. Each in. his place must do all that he (or £!ie) can, and the woman's influence (though it be silent) is a .powerful factor in the lives- of botii father and children. ; and- is_ all in all to the horne — the true | home tie forerunner of the federated world: "When the comaaonsense jf most shall hold a fretful realm in awe, And the kindly earth shall slumber, rapt in universal law.'' What is this hurried anticipation of a b!essed time, this premature talk of brotherhood, while the old man with his rnsanness. laziness, vanity, jealousy, is so slrong within us. There are those who would force {£v affairs of the world, who instead of quietly, steadily building on the rocks of perseverance and morality wouM overset ihis unsatisfactory order of things to tae satisfaction of their own loose desir-es aad low thoughts. Not in hurry and agitation, not fr^om stump oratory, and the passing and amending of bills can social progress come, but from, {-he backbone and heart of a people. The race, however, j is not to tfie swift, nor the battle to tic I strong. Bather to her whose quiet household ways are unrecorded in society gossip, whose daily round of drudgery is unblesseti save by the dear, untellaible ways of the little ones. There, at the head of the social fabric, potential for good or evil, is the woman, the mother. Her eon may scon be about iiis father's business, hm the sacred name of mother will be with him through all his days, and if mother has done her duty, the golden rule wil! be in his heart: "Do as ye would bs done by." Owe no mian anything, save to love the good and hate the cvil — not the evildoer — rather pity and assist fcim. Wearied with the daily care, the son, the^ brother,-' or the, hutbiud comes in from the strife of the world to find' rest in the light of her face. There are millions in less favoured lands | than our own ground down in poverty and I degradation,' where woman is scarce allowed a will of her own, and her lot is but slavery. Surely it is woman's place and privilege to help her fallen sister to rise. knowing that the onward march is regulaiei according to the progress of those in the rear. Not to reduce all to one duu level, bfurt to give to each thei possibility of expansion and progress - a'ong natural lines, •ibis be Ler aim. So we wait tbe nobler woman, trusting that her sons will not disgrace her when they talk with each other in the face of social problems. OSCAR. The following- expression of opinion by the Rev. B. J. Campbell, of the Eity Tem^D, shows, when compared with the d-ennuion of Socialism lately given by Mx Balfcur. that in essential points — theory — Church end people, or • section of each, are in agreement, Oscar. Rev. R. J. Campbell: — " We, declare that the Socialism we believe in involves tbe public ownership and management of the means of production, distribution,' 1 and exchange, and is therefore essentially the same Socialism as that which is held by Socialists throughout the world." Hon. _A. J. Balfour : — " Socialism has one meaning, and one" meaning only. Socialism means, and can mean, nothing else than that the community or the State is to take all the means of production into its own 'hands; that private enterprise and private property are to come to an end, and all thai. private enterprise and private propsrly carry with them. This is Socialism, and nothing else is Socialism." These are aspects it would have been useless for the C.C.C. to tackle. • • • • * • Sixth meeting, .November 11. Papers must b« in by October 28. ' , TOPIC. — Touts in the British Colonies. — This will be a new variation of the trave!- ! lers' go-as-you-please meetings, which have I always been a most popular feature of the club. The only restriction on perfect freedom of choice in the direction of travel is that it must be in a British Colony or dependent State. Regarding the above meeting in order to realise how wide <a iravel ground lies open for our tours, it is almost necessary to remind ourselves what the British Colonies are — at any rate to recall a few of i'heni. In Africa w© may travel in Cape Co-'ony, beside the sea. or go inland through Bechiianaland to Rhodesia; or. landing at Zanzibar, penetrate the lovely tropical lusuriar.ee of British East Africa, and wander from the lakes, the stupendous falls, the gloomy, mysterious forests, where the Obeah man still plies his nefarious trade, up the ravines, gorgeous with tropical blooms, and strange with giant lobelia and weird vegetation, to the exquisite splendour of Buwenzori, towering among the mountains of the moon. In India a still more varied programme allures our touring instincts. It may be mountaineering among the Himalayas, and ihe Hindoo Koosh ranges, where we shall be on the roof of the world, and realise the scenes of the Malakand campaign, the Broken road, and "Where Three Empires Meet." Or take the plains and trav&l the Grand 1 Trunk, and recognise as we go all the charm, the change, the subtle variety of the people of the plains as Kirn did. Shall we go to historic Delhi. to ancient Madras, or tragic Hyderabad? But, there! — India is «t your disposal, threadbare, dsECribed by a ■fchousand writers, and yet inscrutable! Canada is also a somewhat overdone line of travel, though there is much interest attaching to her past no less than her future. Newfoundland, in whose jurisdiction are included the coast lands of Labrador (perhaps you will choose a cruise with Dr GrenfeLT!), British Columbia, and "Vancouver, all are full of attraction to the hardier spirits. Jamaica, with her past wealth and varied history; Australia', and New Zealand — mushrooms of yesterday. I have but suggested the scope of jour. "Tours in the British Co!onies t "-

Seventh meeting, December 2. Papers must be in by November 18. TOPIC. — Your Favouirte Quotation on each of the three following subjects: Love, Lif^, Friendship. — To be written on separate slips of paper fastened together. Name of author and work attached, if possible, to each. Quotations must noi, be too long. J.t is desired to make this last meeting of the session a, V^jL brig . hi and ch «erful one, and to lend additional interest Emmeline propo=es giving: a httle souvenir of the session to the jmember who fiends in the best quotation in «ach section. That is to say, there will »s three souvenirs, and Emmeline devoutly trusts t he same member will not win them - C.C.C. CORRESPONDENCE say? E «? BK^ R !, in^ th€ Colirße of ber letter, Crh~ enjOyed the last meeting of the «i£ m « PfPers were very interesting. £ S. €^ dc ?% tha writers knew how to grow Trt-.-if? 1 woman and the ideal garden °" n *if there were more like them there wou.d be fewer to say that marriage is a failure! I wonder how many Socialists will j tnere be in the next meeting? We are having such lovely weather, and the sprint flowers are sa sweet and pretty it makes one feel it a p'easure to be alive in such a beautiful world.- Have you, read a book entitled The World and its God,' by Philip Alauro? I was glad to see Boy Friend's good paper, showing that he is batter and stronger. We are much interested in Noncenea matters, ar-d hope it may be carried here at the next election." In this matter of | temperance, Sweetbriar, my sympathies are heartily with you. If I am not quite clear aoout Prohibition it is- only because j I am very fully alive to the moral evils I that arise from the sly drinking habits ! which spring up like poisonous toadstools in its shadow ; ELSIE writes : — " We are having delightful \ weather; the kowhai is in full blcom — su^h ! masses of gold and green •- I wish it were possible to show it to Eonw of ' Alien's ' i London children to give then> some pleasure [ My friend the tui has been very eilent lately. Orcar says his fiiniily must object to tho latest mode of singing and stopped his song. I say he has tco big an idea of his own i importance, and demands a larger audience. Hcvever, he still gives us an occasional free concert all to ourselves." Yours must be a beautiful corner c-f the world, Elsie, and I it is p'.easarit that not one of its beauties or charms is wasted upon you or Oscar. I have forwarded yowr little note of correction, and as to the other matter will follow your wishes, and ycu will understand that a- very sincere and kindly interest is felt if unspoken. Your papers all through this session have been of great merit. Elsie. Extremely ?orry that I can give ycu no news of Rangicsra. OSCAR. — Thank you for your offer to lend me your volume of Kendall's prems. Oscar. I will gladly acept tbe friendly offer, and pioniise rot to keep it too long. " I KOA. — Thanks for your litt!e note. dear. j I am glad "that even under such difficulties [ you find the C.C.C. so attractive that you wish to fill your comer — " Every time it is so cosy, and the company so good." Very appropriately comes a pleasant proof that you are helping to make these meetings S attractive. Read the following lines, dear ! Koa. and, if ytu can,- oMipe my correspon- | dent, please : — " In the Witness- number of [ September 9 your correspondent Koa quoted | two verses of the ' Burial of Moses.' Would you do me a favour by getting from her for your columns the remainder of the poem, or let me know where else I can get it, as I attach fond memories to the recital of it by a departed relative, and have never seen i it in print since, which is now over 20 | years?" WINTER.— Your letter naturally gave me much pleasure, for as the " OOBy Corner Club " was an _ entirely original idea of my I own, any testimony as to its charm and j excellence is very delightfxil to me. I consider myse l ! both fortunate and happy in t having > drawn to my Cosy Corner so many I clever and graceful writers. The only qualifications for admission to the club aTe I esibodied in being a reader of the Witness j and the sending in with the request for j membership the writer's real name^ and adi dress for Emmeline's private confidence. I i shall be- glad to hear from you, and I judge from ycur letter that you would tie an acquisition to our circle. Only two meetings neT remain to complete the 1908 session. ! and you will find full notes concerning the topics in this issue, Winter. KERANI.— The male element of the club being mostly conspicuous by its absence today renders your presence even more welcome than usual, Kerani. I am sorry you do not expect to join us again .this ses&.on, but assure you it will give me genuine pleasure if you will make an effort to be with us at our last meeting, of which ycu will ! see the date and topic in this issue. I SHASTA.— May I tell Kerani that Hcchela«a's clever eimile about the onion bed at last meeting seemed so like one of has quaint humours that you looked for his signature below? And assure Boy Friend I that you are so pleased to hear he is making progress towards recovery? And for the many little things" that you "long to discuss"" with me— long may it be so, Gear Shasta! I have grown to think of you with affectionate friendship, and hope the day may be " long o' coming ' when your thoughts and queries no longer reach ou.. io Emmeline for sympathy and answer. BOY FRIEND. — liindlv inquiries are still, made for ycu. and -friendly hopes expressed for your complete return to health, my dear comrade. Surely so many kind thoughts cannot go a-missinp' Unconsciously they must have th°ir uplift for weary mind and weak -body. I hope you will be strong enough fo"r a Httle tour by next meelir.g, Boy Friend. So many of our British colonies lie* in zone? of such 'lovely climate and surroundings a 9 would be just the very place for you in " chill October.'* Tie sure that Emmeline among your other friends is keenly anxious to hear of your welfare. GRANDMOTHER, Fiji.— l have been lor.pin» to hear again from you, dear Grandmother and always an intermittent stream of kindly inquiries concerning ycu sets through the letters of my unknown friends. I -told you of W. V.'s kind remembrances and message of affectionate remembiaiice some time since. Just now Sweetbriar has been asking after you most affectionately. And I ? Well, dearest and nvo-st deeply esteemed of all our little circle, I only wish with all my heart you were not so far away ! KOA.— I just wanted, <3ear, to_ thank you for the sweet message with which you end your letter, and to Bay that I am so sorry about that little matter; it must be trying, even though there is no real cause for anxiety as to the ultimate success. All pain suffered in vain, and suffered by others, is so saddening.

—A. mouse &eldom livea longer than Ihree yeanSt