ARE YOU A DICTATOR?

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21245, 16 October 1940, Page 5

ARE YOU A DICTATOR?

Curb This Tendency In Your Heart

(By Barbara Hedworth) J BELIEVE that in every one of us there lurks that craving to be “boss,” to feel that the destiny of others lies in our own hands, and I believe that of all our failings and weaknesses, this is the one we should guard against most rigidly. Of all human ambitions, none is so deadly and soul-destroying as the ambition for power. You have only to look back at history to see the frustration and bitterness this brings when indulged— not only to those who come under the Dictator’s lash, but to the Dictator himself. Napoleon became drunk with power and he died a prisoner on the island of St. Helena—yet before his passion got out of control, he did fine things for his country. You will all know men whose very presence evokes an atmosphere of fear; you will recognise that anxious woman’s voice as she denies herself some perfectly innocent pleasure like a red nail-varnish or an ultra-fashionable hat : “ I wouldn’t dare; I don’t know what my husband would say. . . We know only too well, and so does she. He will hurl mean remarks at her, make cruel fun of her and so torture her nerves that she feels she would rather go hatless and without a manicure than provoke such a storm again. Surely that is dictatorship at its crudest—interfering with personal liberty. When one meets such a man, one is relieved to think that his power to indulge his authority has such a small field, for it is of such qualities that Adolf Hitlers are created ! Again, there is that more subtle dictatorship produced by money. You know how it is in a large family—there is the “successful one” who puts more into the family exchequer and instinctively lays down the law. “ But Mother, I want the drawingroom to be called ‘ the lounge’,” Miss Dictator will declare, and lo and behold ! you will soon find the whole family referring to the front room by that name. Or perhaps it is the son of the house who is its main financial prop. How soon he will tell his sisters to invite the friends he doesn’t care for, on the nights when he isn’t going to be in ! How soon he will give his orders as to what he wants for his meals, regardless of the tastes of the others ! Dictatorship a Form of Weakness Some people through weakness of character or physique manage to impose a dictatorship on those around them. For instance, there is the ailing woman whose unfortunate husband dare not stay out a little late for an innocent game of cards without her feigning a heart attack. You find mothers who to make invented ill-health an excuse to keep a devoted daughter at their side until the latter’s hopes of romance, marriage and children have disappeared. You will all recognise, I know, that “dictator” wife who insists on her husband handing her the entire contents of his pay envelope every week. “ I manage money so much better than Dick does,” she will explain, never adding that not since his wedding day has the unfortunate Dick ever had a chance to refute this bland statement. And it doesn’t end at that. He can’t bring out the odd shilling she graciously allows him for personal expenses, to buy a round of drinks, without her eagle eye being focused upon him to remind him that it is his shoe-mending money he is spending. When Christmas or her birthday comes round, he is denied the pleasure of giving her a “surprise”—one of those little luxury gifts which most women delight in. “ You are giving me a set of new saucepans, and I’ll deduct so much a week from your pocket-money,” she will announce. It is she who decides when he is to have a new suit, how much he may spend on it and as often as not chooses his tailor for him ! When you work it out, dictatorship is only a form of weakness; the bullying husband only bullies his wife because she is financially dependent on him; that successful son (or daughter) who runs the home with such arrogance must feel that he won’t get his way simply because the others love him. Isn’t it lack of self-confidence on the part of a wife that she isn’t sure of her husband’s company in the evening without pretending to be ill ? We all know the unhappiness the war has brought, but if it also brings a new humility to mankind it will not have been fought in vain.

KAIPAKI The Kaipaki Women’s Institute met for its monthly meeting recently, when Mrs J. Graham, president, presided. In response to appeals the members agreed to hand in gifts for the lepers, and to give gifts for the soldiers’ parcel fund. Two more parcels have been packed for overseas. The remits for the council meeting, in Hamilton on November 5, were discussed

ind a decision was made for each me. Mrs Graham read a letter from he town clerk of Cambridge, thankng this Institute for its share in the ionating of trees to be planted in Cambridge. The next Group meetng was announced, to be held in Cambridge on October 21. The roll call was an exchange of plants. Mrs A. M. Fisher and Miss Hartman were in charge of the sales table. Miss W. Tarr had charge }f the afternoon tea. Mrs W. Cunlingham acted as competition steward. A competition for the best plate of six pikelets was won by Mrs F. Boyd, with Mrs W. Cunningham second. The winner, for the three oest ranunculus was Mrs R. Boyd. Mrs A. Goodwin gave an instructive talk and practical demonstration Dn home nursing and was awarded a cordial vote of thanks.

MORRINSVILLE The monthly meeting of the Morrinsville Women’s Institute was held in the Parish Hall o'n Wednesday, October 9. when the president, Mrs Pole, presided over a large attendance of members. New members proposed were:—Mrs Stirling, Mrs Grigg, Mrs Meadows, Mrs Hayward and Mrs Williams. The roll call, “The talent I would like to possess,” was well received. Miss F. Hewitt gave a very interesting talk on her trip to Australia. Much amusement was caused by the limerick competition. Mrs Wild and Mrs Cottingham rendered duets entitled “Venetian Song” and “Early One Morning.” The competitions for the month resulted as .follows: —Date loaf, Mrs Crickett; worked tea towel, Mrs Arndt; vase of flowers, Mrs Crickett. Supper was served by the hostesses.

SPRINGDALE

There was a good attendance of members at the monthly meeting of the Springdale Women’s Institute, which was held in the local hall recently. Mrs E. Palliser occupied the chair and opened the meeting with a prayer. Letters were read from two local men who are serving with the forces overseas, thanking the Institute for parcels. Arrangements were finalised in regard to the Institute’s Paddy’s market. During the afternoon bandages were made for the Red Cross Society. There were many entries in the sack work competition and owing tn the large variety of articles, the competition \va* made into sections:— The results were as follows:—Sack apron, Mrs W. Ryan 1. Mrs H. Bridgeman 2. Mrs G. Foster 3: fanev bag, Mrs Foster; oven set, Mrs A.

J Paterson; tea cosy, Mrs Foster: cushion, Mrs Hunger 2. Other comj petitions resulted as follows:—Single bloom, Mrs Bridgeman 1, Mrs A. Hunger 2, Miss F. Roberts 3; vase of flowers, Mrs B. Johansen 1, Mrs Hunger 2, Mrs Bridgeman 3; best home-made sweets, Mrs Patterson 1. Miss I’’. Roberts 2, Mrs Ryan 3. A novelty competition held during the afternoon was won by Mrs Patterson, with Mrs Hunger and Mrs Paliiser (equal) 2. Mrs I. Barnett was the winner of a competition for a toilet set. A pleasant meeting closed with afternoon tea served by the hostesses. Mesdames Patterson, C. Chatfleld. and Miss B. Roberts. lIOROTIU The Horotiu Women’s Institute held its monthly meeting recently, Mrs Paddy, the president, presiding over a good attendance. The competition, a bowl of flowers, was won by Miss Diver. Mrs Chapman gave a very interesting account of the Dominion Council meeting at Wellington, which was thoroughly enjoyed.

The hostesses were Mesdames Sullivan and Thompson and Miss Starr.

WAHAROA There was a fair attendance of members at the monthly meeting of the Waharoa Women’s Institute, the meeting being ably presided over by Mrs R. Burns. The motto for the day was "A smile is a gift you can always return.” The roll call was a “soldier’s story.” There was a poor response, but quite a lot of humour was derived from the few answered. Mrs Barlow gave a demonstration on making a bouquet, and was accorded hearty thanks. A spelling bee proved a pleasant diversion, and all members participated, Mrs Farley being the winner. Her usual monthly parcel of knitting was received from Mrs G. Newsome for patriotic purposes. Mrs W. Ryan was given a hearty vote of thanks for a carpet she kindly gave for Institute functions. A raffle for “funds for soldiers’ parcels” was well patronised, and the prize donated by Mrs E. Tordoff was won by Mrs McLean. Community singing, led by the Institute Glee Club, was heartily enjoyed by all, many rousing numbers being sung. The resolution about the Institute birthday function, was again discussed, and it was definitely decided to hold an evening entertainmen ton All Hallows Eve, the majority deciding an afternoon affair not to their liking.

Competitions for the day resulted as follows: —Best flower, Mrs F. Smith, Mrs McDonald, and Mrs Williams; mittens for soldiers, Mrs F. Smith; pikelets, Mrs Guy 1, Mrs F. Smith 2; bowl of flowers, Mrs Petch 1, Mrs Burns 2. A novel idea of giving “affinity” tickets to all members, and everyone having to sit with their “affinity” for afternoon tea, brought a very pleasant and friendly feeling to all. Hostesses for the day were:—Mesdames Harper, Wilcox, C. White, and P. White, who served afternoon tea. NAWTON —ROTOKAURI The Nawton-Rotokauri Women’s Institute recently held an enjoyable afternoon, the proceeds of which

HAMILTON BRANCH The October meeting of the Hamilton branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Y.M.C.A. room recently. Mrs Clements presided over a good attendance of members. Mrs Ryburn gave a short address in which she urged the branch not to overspend its funds at the present time as one of the most important duties would be to assist in rehabilitating the men after the war. Mrs Spencer gave a brief summary of leper work in Melanesia in support of which numerous articles were displayed for sale. The following reports were given: Mrs Windsor (housekeeping), Mrs Bell (hospital visiting), Mrs Shepherd (magazines), Mrs Cox (knitting). Five knitted scarves, one pair sox, three caps and two balaclavas were handed in. An invitation to the Ngahinapouri Women’s Division's birthday to be held on October 17, was received. Enjoyable songs and deuts bv Mesdames Wilson and Garland, and humour by Mrs Dixon, were much appreciated. A splendid reply was received to the roll call, some novel kitchen hints being given. The competition was won by Mrs Church.

TIRAU BRANCH There was a fair attendance at the monthly meeting of the Tirau branch of the Women’s Division. One new member was welcomed. It was reported that quite a substantial amount was forwarded to headquarters towards the fighter plane fund. The adult education field day proposals were discussed, and the tutor will be spending a day in Tirau during the first v/eek in November —probably on November 8. One lecture will be given in the morning and one in the afternoon, and it is hoped that these will be largely attended by members and by the public generally. Winners of the competitions were as follows:—Knitted balaclava, Mrs S. Hetherington 1, Mrs Hewson 2, Miss Allen 3; floating bowl, Mrs Watkins 1, Mrs W. H. G. Allen 2, Mrs Adamson 3. Eight balaclavas were handed over to the local Red Cross Society. Members stood for a brief period for silent prayer for our Empire. Mrs Sloper, the Provincial President, was then welcomed, and presented a comprehensive report of the recent conference in Wellington. This was much appreciated, and a vote of thanks to Mrs Sloper was carried by acclamation. Afternoon tea was served by Mrs J. Hetherington and Mrs Bottomley.

were devoted to the Sunshine League. Mrs Owsley, of Hamilton, brought with her a number of artists who provided excellent entertainment for those present. The following contributed to the programme: Mesdames C. Wilson and A. H. Garland (duets), Mesdames T. Jury, C. Wilson and A. H. Garland (solos), Mesdames E. J. Coombridge and A. Lapthorne (elocutionary items). Mrs Grant acted as accompanist. A written competition arranged by Mrs Owsley was won by Mrs Vane. After afternoon tea had been served bv the hostesses the winners of the cake and picture competitions were announced, these being Mesdames Feeney and Lapthorne respectively. Brisk business was done by a jumble stall in charge of Mesdames Lamb and Wadham.