TOPICS OF THE WEEK

New Zealand Graphic, 1 July 1899, Page 13

TOPICS OF THE WEEK

THE ANTI-FEDERAL FACTOR IN NEW ZEALAND. The Australasian event that demands our first notice really transpired last week on the eve of the publication of the “Graphic,” and so was not referred to in these columns. But its importance is much too great to lie passed over in silence, and hence this somewhat belated reference to it. Need I explain that I am talking of the victory of the Federalists in New South Wales? I fear the explanation is necessary, for it is a curious fact that while on the other side the issue of the fight has evoked the greatest enthusiasm imaginable it has hardly done more than awaken a languid interest in New Zealand. The vision of national unity that has stirred the hearts of our neighbours on the great continent does not seem to appeal to us. The fact is that while they appear to have awakened, as if by magie, in a day to a recognition of all t'hat the victory implies, and the stupendous issues that attend on it, we here are blind to the epoch-making nature of the step that has been taken. Our indifferent attitude on this occasion shows, I think, that we are much more widely sundered than we had imagined. Ordinarily, we are inclined to regard the thousand miles of ocean as a barrier rendered insignificant by the electric cable and the ocean liners. In a way we look on ourselves as a part of Australia. Sydney and Melbourne, with many of us, are not so remote as Central Otago. But how superficial that connection is after all is proved to-day, when an event like the triumph of Federation in Australia, which has stirred the heart of the whole continent, is received with not the very least fervour here. Then we see how completely out of touch we are with the sentiment of those on the other side of the Tasman Sea. That thousand miles makes all the difference in the world. That geographical factor cannot be made light of. Mountain ranges and rivers play their part as international barriers, but fhey are more easily circumvented than the sea. There might have been no British En> pire to-day had there been no English Channel, and Ireland might have been as peaceful and contented a partner in the union as Scotland had there been a dry road instead of a wet one between Port Patrick and Donaghadee. If a score of miles of ocean can have such an influence, is it to be wondered at if a thousand should exercise some effect? You hear folks speak as if our entrance into the Australian family was to be decided by our own inclination or profit, and the geographical factor was nothing. But probably it is of more importance than any other for it underlies them all. To it we already owe the beginnings of insular predilections and prejudices, a national sense of individuality and independence which, when it comes to thepoint of sacrificing them in ever so small a degree, we would be loath to part with. If we were to be the predominant partner in the great Commonwealth,

as New South Wales hopes to be, there might be something in federating with Australia, but to be taken into the family as a sort of younger son, to be

overshadowed ami patronised by our great neighltour, to l>e a mere pendant to Australia—well, you can hardly expect a colony like this, that has been called the Britain of the South by more than one discriminating judge, to submit to such treatment. • • • IS THE FEMALE FRANCHISE MOVEM ENT DECLINI NG. The agitation in Great Britain in favour of granting the Parliamentary franchise to women has had the effect of depriving members of the House of Commons of a time honoured privilege. There is in future. 1 understand, to be no such thing as private members’ day. Mr Balfour was the immediate author oi its death, but without the consent of the House he could of course have done little. How he came to get that consent is a point worth noting, and I am sure that in the opinion of my lady friends the reason that led to the abolition of private members’ day is of infinitely more importance than the passing away of the old privilege. According to the “National Review.” the House of Commons supported Mr Balfour's motion in order to ward off the threatened women’s suffrage debate, which was booked for the next private members' day. This subject of women's suffrage the “Review" considers is one “on which many members have honestly changed their minds since the general election, when they pledged themselves to the cause," and then the journal adds: “The decline of this perilous fad is one of the most satisfactory signs of the times. With the private meber it has had its day." \Vhat is this we hear? Women’s franchise a fad that has had its day! What paper in this colony would dare to make such a statement? Surely it argues ill for the virility of the cause in the Old Country that any journal should have dared to make it. I wonder whether the view of the matter presented by the “National Review" represents merely the grossly prejudiced wish of an enemy to women’s franchise, or is in some degree a correct reflection of the exact condition of things at Home? Is it true that the movement which first attained to fruition in this little colony is destined to decline in a larger sphere? The idea here was that in this matter we had only led the way and that other countries would follow our example. It never occurred to us that other and larger sections of the Anglo-Saxon race would not do as we had done. But what if they did not? It must considerably diminish our confidence in our own wisdom if the world after all deelined to copy us; if looking back over its shoulder this progressive little colony found that it was left alone in the march of progress it had marked out for itself. Should it be the ease that the chances of women’s suffrage at Home are diminishing. 1 think the example of New Zealand must have something to do with it. I fear we have failed to commend the innovation to other lands. They have not seen that the extension of the vote has had the marvellously good effects that were predicted, and perhaps our traducers —of whom we have many, alas!—have revealed the worst side of the reform. Before this we have discussed together the opening which exists in England for the labours of female franchise missionaries. The need for them is greater than ever now. and there is every reason why the Government should give assistance to the mission, for its own reputation for legislative wisdom is at stake. • • • THE MOST ATTRACTIVE AGE. “What is a woman’s most attractive age?" The question has been going the rounds at Home, and has elicited all sorts of answers. Of course, the reply very much depends on the person questioned. Limiting our inquiry to the male sex. to whom the query is really addressed, we are sure of a diversity of opinions. It is well known that the mature comeliness that goes

with forty summers very frequently np|>eals much more forcibly to the callow affections of the youth of sixteen than the budding lieauty of a ilamsel of his own age. On the other hand, does not the wilted male heart of seventy turn irresistibly attracted to the same damsel? But these are extreme eases. Let us take the verdict of mature manhood, and what do we find. Mrs Heron-Maxwell, in the “laidy.” assures us it is very possible that if a census could be taken, and the number of admirers and friends be ap|M>rtioned to each woman, it would lie found that those who |s»s-

sessed the most were between 30 and 36. And from other sources one gathers that the taste of mankind in the matter of womankind at the present day. and in the Old Country at any rate, is as stated. Novels, though they may not give us the most correct pictures of life, are as a rule pretty accurate reflectors of the taste of the day, and you will notice that the tendency is more and more in the direction of raising the age of the heroine. The modern reader feels almost insulted at an attempt to enlist his or her sympathies in the immature boy and girl loves that were once the stock in trade of every romancer. It detracts in his eyes from the interest of such a masterpiece as “Romeo and Juliet” to reflect that the latter was a slip of a wench of fourteen summers. Yes, whatever the marriage statistics may say to the contrary. I should not wonder if women are most attractive between thirty and forty. The marriage statistics after all are no index of the attractiveness of women. They merely prove the foolishness and susceptibility of the male animal in his violent youth. All this has reference to the Old Country chiefly. I don’t know whether masculine taste here or feminine attractiveness follows the same ride, and the palm belongs to the woman of over thirty. With the sensible men, who. in virtue of their years and experience, have the best right to express an opinion on the question. I fancy she will carry the (lay here as she does at Home. But then public sentiment at this side of the world is so absurdly at the mercy of the younger sections of the community, and they think differently, that sensible men dare, not open their mouths. Hence the popular notion—in my opinion a popular fallacy of the worst kind that ought to be exploded—that when a woman is well into the forties, she is getting passe. I begin to think that the man who said “A woman is not worth talking to till she is over 30,” was about right. • • • W A NT E 1), A GOV E KN OR. Under the new arrangements which the Commissioners have made for the future government of Samoa a Governor will be required. There is likely to be some difficulty in getting a suitable man for the place, because of several things. The danger that this supreme official, if chosen from any of the three Powers who hold Samoa under their joint control, might be partial to his own nation has made the Commissioners decide that neither a Britisher, nor a Yankee, nor a German shall be eligible for the appointment. Unless the decisou is modified, therefore, we shall probably see an Italian, or a Dutchman, or n Swede, or a. Swiss mixing himself up in Samoan affairs. The little European States have their

uses in acting a* go-betweens and |x ace preserver* among their great neighbours. When, as in this Samoan c«-m. there is friction and jealousy among any two or more of the latter which has to t*e smoothed down, the little neutral is usually invited in. The provision of the Commissioners

with regard to the nationality of the new Samoan Governor will. I suppose, make it useless for any New Zealander to apply for the billet. Not a few will regret this. It will occur to many that seeing we have supplied Tonga with a Resident, there is nothing to hinder us giving a Governor to Samoa. There are scores of men in the colony who believe they could fill all the requirements). Perhaps if this were represented to the Commissioners they might be induced to throw the position open to New Zealanders.

• • • A THANKLESS TASK. We New Zealanders do not greatly affect statues. By a supreme effort a bronze effigy of Her Gracious Majesty the Queen has been erected in Auckland, and Mr Gladstone is to have a bust in the Northern City. But these two works seem to have pretty well exhausted the statuesque enthusiasm of the Aucklanders, and rhe promoters of the scheme to perpetuate the memory of Sir George Grey bymeans of a statue of the deceased statesman are having a difficult business. The invitation to the public to subscribe, and the offering of manifold temptations to them to do so. in the shape of conveniently placed collect ion boxes, have both failed to tap the well-spring of Northern generosity-. and at last it has been determined that a canvassing committee shall make a house to house visit and

solicit subscriptions. A list is to be made out of all the likely persons whom it would be advisable to visit* and the canvassers, hunting in couples. will wait upon these gentlemen. The scheme reminds us of the tactics adopted in the mendicant profession. Professional tramps. I understand, are in the habit of putting a distinguishing mark on the houses they visit indicating the character of the inmates, so that when a brother tramp comes along he can at a glance discern what his chances of entertainment are. It is precisely the same idea in a slightly different shape that the Grey Statue Committee have hit upon, and it might prove very successful. A mistake. I think, has been made, however, in revealing the names of the canvassers. That should have

been kept as profound • secret as the names of the citizens whose homes or places of business are to be invaded. «Jtlieiw.se the canvassers will have their work cut out to cateh their prey. The appearance on the scene of u; y ot these assiduous fishers of pen will, of course.be the signal for general flight. 1 have always thought the position of a canvasser singularly undesirable, but even the man who essayed to take orders for a new Picturesque Atlas of Australia would probably have quite as enviable a billet as the gentlemen who go forth to solicit subscriptions for such a worthy and aesthetic object as a statue to Sir George Grey. Hitherto they have all enjoyed the confidence of their fellow citizens, but whether they ean expect to do so after tue canvass is finished is more than I would like to say. Speaking from my own experience. I have known friendships decay on less grounds. Let a man lie as Christian-spirited as you like. I defy him to feel as kindly disposed to his bosom friend after the latter has sold him a ticket for a church bazaar as he did before. The transaction is indeed a trifling one. yet nothing that I know of tends to shake one's confidence in the sincerity of your friend's affection and regard as an attempt on his part to make you purchase a ticket for a church bazaar; I am very much afraid that the case will be even worse in this statue business. I should not wonder if social ostracism of a kind is the penalty which the poor canvassers will have to pay for their devoted intrepidity in a good cause.