SHOULD HUSBANDS TELL?

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16450, 11 June 1921, Page 9

SHOULD HUSBANDS TELL?

TO THE ZDXTOB. Sir, —I read with deep thought the fetter from your correspondent “ Amaryllis,” and T thought it a most plaintive lament, overflowing with sentiment which seemed to appeal to human sympathy, but one is left to wonder as to whether such sentiment is from cause or effect. There are many unhappy homes to-day which were spoilt at the very start by marriage being entered into more ns a social exhibition of fashionable and elaborate appearances than a heart to heart emDodiinenfc of affection and thought for

future domestic happiness. Especially is this so where circumstances are somewhat pronounced und the future of a favourable prospect*. Such are inducement* to women who long to be in the limelight of social distinction, and in the galaxy of social stars commonly known as a “ set,” who delight in seeing their names appear in the society columns of the daily papers, more especially if a. home-made hyphenation can be* used as a mark of social distinction and empty vanity. No man with any pride in his manhood would care to attend his wife in such places where domestic small tulk and social gossip aro the principal diversion. The consequence is that the newly wedded heroine estranged as their aims and interests are not identical, and thus comes the indifference and misunderstanding that brings about domestic unhappiness. A chasm is opened which gradually widens with years, and alas! married life becomes an empty formality and a social farce. The only tie that hinds is the law, and too late many a wife has had to admit with remorse and regret that in grasping at the shadow the substance waa lost. No Woman who aspires to social distinction can be a chum for her husband, so for the want of domestic companionship he wanders away to his club or elsewhere. Touching on the horse racing and gambling part of your correspondent’s letter, we might very well turn the subject round and say, “ Should wives tell their husbands all they win and lose at the races or at bridge parties, poker schools, and suoh like r’ 9 T don’t think there are many who would care to do that, and it wouldn’t matter much, as nemonatrance is futile to a gambler, man or Woman. There are sinners among wives as well as among husbands, and if your correspondent considers herself neglected at the present time by indifference and kindness blended, let her ask herself whether in the past she has contributed in Some way to the present state of things. If she has not, then she has my sympathy if it is worth anything to her, and I sincerely hope that her burden Is not greater than she can bear.—l am, etc., BOHEMIAN.