Disproportion, a. Deformity

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 9893, 25 January 1911, Page 4

Disproportion, a. Deformity

A striking disproportion in a human being is generally regarded as a deformity, and similarly any abnormal social developments amount to deformities of the body politic. Here are two items which we place side by side, 'the "Blackburn Rovers," a football organisation, pays Simpson (whom they retain as a prince in the game) £18,000. A movement is afoot in England to hold a "fair of fashions" in connection with tlie Festival ot Empire. To exalt a footballer to tiie rank of a demi-god or a potentate or prima donna; and on the other hand to perpetuate the curse (for it is a curse as certainly as drink and gambling) of fashion—well, the things offend one's sense of proportion, but more seriously they indicate that a degeneration is setting iv. The Captain's Winnings. If Captain De Curry Bowers (we haven't an Array List handy) achieves no other distinction, ho will at least be remembere-i, for his seusatioual attack upou the fools' money staked at Monte Carlo, and for his success; and tho British Army will uo doubt contemplate his strategy as worthy of imitation. That is the worst of it! Every cadet, every sub-lieutenant will take him as an exemplar. Pity he didn't cut tlie service. Rejected. The French Academy, by a close majority, 30 to 28, hava finally rejected the proposal to elect Madame burie a member 'xhis is by a sort of Salic law" adopted by the great scientific circle; but it is a matter to be deplored. We venture to predict that it will do more to quicken the movement everywhere for Woman Franchise.than anything that has yet happened The British "Shrieking Sisterhood" and suffragettes are, of course, merely contemptible. But this devoted lady, who has never talked out has done something—her widowed figure pleads eloquently for recognition aud puts to shame the poor conservatism that blocks the way for the meritorious. A Sociological Phenomenon. Strangely pathetic aud impressive is a little story in connection" with the strikes of last September at Havre. A "black-leg" named Donge was killed by the strikers' secretary, Durand. But lo I when the latter had been condemned to death, there appeared in tho columns of l'Humanite, a newspaper advocating the cause of the workers, a letter from the widow, actually pleadiug for the pardou ot Durand 1 Tbe conclusion of this remarkable letter strikes one as throwing quite a new light on social obliga tions. Madame Douge says:—" A working woman myself, I am ready to sign a petition. I am ready to sign and beg others to sign a petition, in favour of Duraud's pardon, and it is a consolation in my unhappiness to hope that everyone will uudersfcand that it is my duty to obtain reparation for my little daughters' sakes; yet I have as well the duty of not forgetting that I too belong to that class of worker-) who struggle so painfully to earn a little more bread and a little less hardship."

There is something for sociologists to think over!