"THE PLAIN DUTY OF WOMAN."

Press, Volume L, Issue 14979, 28 May 1914, Page 2

"THE PLAIN DUTY OF WOMAN."

TO Tire IDITOB OF "THE PRESS." Sir,—May I humbly, as a much-trav-elled, and I think, observant man, offer a suggestion to those active humanitarj ian ladies who comprise the W.C.T.U. I would first ask them to reconsider their attitude to the Defence Act. Could anyone but an extremely prejudiced person help admiring those long lines of clean, orderly, disciplined youtns forming the Cadet Battalion/ who attended tho parade last Sunday? Are not.the constant physical drills, in the eveping, the habite of discipline and'obedience instilled, of great value to these lads? Cannot these ladies realise this? And does not this enforced attendance at da-ill keep these youths from many evils at a very impressionable age? Should these good women desire some real scope for their activities, I will, in all humility, offer tnem an opening, ■which, if carried out, will do the ooya more good than butting against the Defence Act, very largely at the bidding of old ladies of tne male gender. My suggestion is this, that they lirst of all leave the boys alone, who are better managed and understood by men. Secondly, that they form a Vigilance Committee to, in some way (probably understood better by women than men), look after the wayward, undisciplined horde of "flappers" of their own sex in this city. In no part of the world that I have lived have I seen girls from twelve years and upwards given so much license. Walking the streets of the city and suburbs at all hours, often with boys and men with whom they are very slightly acquainted, talking loudly, laiigii <> ,r and jesting •uproariously, calling their male friends by Iheir Christian names, standing at the* g\te with youths often after 10 p.m.— ali this I maintain is a real danger to the boys (and girls), and who are to blame for this very real evil but the women parents, none of whom, I trust, belong to the W.C.T.U.? Let this organisation tackle this problem properly, call on the parents, give lectures to them, influence them in many ways best known to mothers, and they will deserve the thanks of the whole community, and especially the male portion thereof. Girls here may be commoniy seen coming home at a late hour from dances, pictures, etc.. attended by quite casual male acquaintances, whose very names their mothers do not know. Of nearly all the terrible troubles that are causing despair and anxiety to many a household, I am ungallant enough to place the responsibility on the women parents, through their indifference and carelessness to the welfare of their women children. —Yours, etc., A MERE MALE.