THE "SOCIAL EVIL"

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12081, 9 August 1917, Page 8

THE "SOCIAL EVIL"

"Tho Master Problem," by Jarnes Marchant (London: Stanley Paul and Co.). is a second edition of ;i treatise

by tho Nov James Mai-chanf, Director of tho National Council of Public Morals, on the "Social Evil,*' from tho point of view of Christian touching. Naturally, such a work penned by such a man absolutely bristles with debatable matter. The " Social lOvil " has been tinkered with all down the ages, and most, of the tinkers, however honest, do not take into consideration the economic question that is at the. base. Pretty nearly everybody thinks he or she--especially she-would if bi> or she had his or hor way settle the question in one. act. Yory many intelligent-and Cod-fearing individuals hold strongly that amateur tinkering with the big problem bas been- and is productive of evils as des; i notive as the " social " evil. That the question of the relations between tho sexes- what has been epigraiiimatically if somewhat inaccurately referred to a.s " the mistress problem" -is difficult- needs no amplifying. That commercialised vice -pan-darism—-should roooivo treatmrnt similar to what the Chinese give their pirates is admitted. Hut there, are mistresses treated bettor than wives, tin ro are " kept " women whoso records—leaving out of count tho question of morality, which varies as Kew and Khatmandu—put to shame (he records of many "virtuous" wives. And there is a tragedy To which orthodox virtuo is unfortunately no strnnger. There is an old differentiation between " malum in so" and ''malum quia, prohibitum" that persons discussing this question might bear in mind. Some sav that all illicit, commerce between the sexes is "malum in see'-"; some say that., if it is " malum " at all, it is merely "quia prohibitum," like smuggling. Well, it will not be settled in 15H7. Mr Marchant sees in the spiritual renaissance that the war bas produced a hope for better things. lie admits tho difficulties but be hopes the light, is dawning. It may "be—every decent human being hopes so. A MelbourneSydney man suggested a way out, but, it premised more self-control than the average man or woman could call into play, and they dubbed him a. crank, bis booklet immoral. Mv Marchant gives pages of statistics as to what lias been done and is being dono to " bring anew to tho world an appreciation of moral values." He, says that, segregation of the vicious meaning thereby what his book explains is a failure. Assertion is not proof; the fact that a wave, of feeling moves peoplo to sweep away things does not settle what is to replace the destroyed or scattered. (Jive every young man and every young woman the chance of a happy homo and a, family and you will not have to discuss the social evil, but that, of course, in tho world's present state of selfishness—a state that bas lasted for ages— i.s a counsel of perfection. If in an when most girls, especially of the. let us say, more easy-circumstanced class, want to start housekeeping under more favourable pecuniary and other conditions than tboso in'which their mothers finished, anybody thinks he or she can settle the problem of the relation of tho sexes by legislation without an inner awakening and a, realisation of the things that matter, ono can only sympathise with that person in the rudp shock awaiting him or her.

Ono could wish that Mr Marchant's enthusiasm for correctness and morality affected his style. However, leaving out of sight the controversial side, all praise is due to Mr March ant for his painstaking studv of tho position and his recognition of the efforts of all those who are striving to mitieat e the evils of to-day's want of humanity in sex matters. After giving details of tho extent of the social evil in America, in tho East, telling how American citios tackled th c problem, he deals with the registration system—which is condemned- with general conditions in

Europe, with the latest that the law is doiug, with the causes predisposing to vice, with the crucial question of tho birth-rate. In Mr Marchanf's book will be found n mass of statistics and many expressions of opinion. You may. to form your own conclusions, utilise the statistics; you may or may not agree with Mr Merchant's conclusions. Tho Right Rev Bishop of liirmingiiam in a foreword recommends the. book, '' because I am satisfied that the indifference shown to the. great sex question is mainly due to ignorance."