WOMEN AND WAR

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22509, 17 September 1938, Page 2

WOMEN AND WAR

THE UNDERLYING CAUSES

A CHALLENGE BY VIRGINIA

WOOLF

[By ANNE PAGE.]

Is there going to be a war? This is the question that has sent lis hurrying out to get the paper considerably earlier than usual these last few days. So far, the paper has reassured us. A European war has not broken out yet. But uncomfortable thoughts keep nagging at us through the day. What will happen if there is a war? How will it affect New Zealand, our families, and ourselves as women? The papers are anything but .reassuring on these points. We have some'idea what waf would mean to men. There would be enlistment, uniforms, camps, drill, troopships, and trenches. But .-its implications for women are much less predictable. It seems certain that their position would be very different, from what it was in 1914. Spain and Russia have already enlisted women as fighting units in their armies, 'and China has had a woman as Minister of State for Air. After the bombing of Canton and Barcelona, men can no longer pride themselves that their fighting keeps women and children safe at home.

"Three Guineas," by Virginia Wool*

Must we just stand by and wait for war to come? Isn't there anything we can prevent it? There are questions that we all feel, even if we do not ask them. The best reply that I have found is in Virginia Woolf's latest book, "Three Guineas." This is, in fact, a discussion on whether women can do anything to prevent war. It is a stimulating discussion, because-it is based on facts and reasoning, rather than vague sentiments and aspirations. Her conclusion is that, by clear thinking about the causes of war, the state of society, and our position and influence in it, it is possible for an individual woman to make a definite contribution to the cause of peace. . The most important weapon - that women can use against war, Mrs Woplf declares, to be "independent opinion based upon independent income." For this reason she regards the struggle for economic equality between the sexes as a service to peace. But accompanying this must be a determination to take the opportunity to introduce into the business and professional world a new set of values and a different point of view. It, is in the distortion of The personality brought about by the present day attitude towards life and work that Mrs Woolf finds the underlying causes of war. "If people are highly successful in their professions," she says, "they lose their senses. Sight goes. They have no time to look at pictures. Sound goes. They have no time to listen to music. Speech goes. They have no time for conversation. They lose their sense of proportion—the relations between one thing and another. Humanity goes. Money making becomes so important that they must work by night as .well as by day. Health goes. And so competitive do they become that they will not share their work with others, though they have more than they can do themselves What, then, remains of a Human being'who has lost sight, andspund, and sense of proportion? Only a cripple in a cave." . It is' because we have become such poor crippled, half-alive creatures, Mrs Woolf argues, that we are drifting into war and unable to help ourselves.

'A New Standard of Values

Mrs Woolf looks to women to provide what is most essential for the peace of the world—a new standard of values. Foremost among these she places poverty: "you must earn enough to be independent of any other human being and to buy that modicum of health, leisure, knowledge, and so on that is needed for the full development of body and mind. But no more. Not a penny more." Second, "when you have made enough to live on by your profession you must refuse to sell your brain for the sake of money. That is, you must cease to practise your profession, or practise it for the sake of research and experiment; or, if you are an artist for the sake of art; or give the knowledge acquired professionally to those who need it for nothing. Third, "you must refuse all methods of advertising merit, and hold that ridicule, obscurity, and censure are preferable, for psychological reasons, to fame and praise. Directly badges, orders, or degrees are offered you, fling them back in the giver's face." And last, "rid yourself of pride of nationality, of religious pride, college pride, school pride, family pride, sex pride, and those unreal loyalties that spring from them. Directly the seducers come with their seductions to bribe you into captivity, tear up the parchments; refuse to fill up the forms." . . Women are not yet in a position to control the immediate causes of war. In British countries they may not serve in the army, navy, or air force. They are not admitted to tbe diplomatic service. Their exclusion from the stock exchange makes their financial power negligible. They lack even the right to preach against war in the churches. If seems therefore that women must take Mrs Woolf's advice and direct their attack against the underlying causes of war. _ The programme outlined in 'Three Guineas" is not meant to.be a general exhortation. It is clearly Mrs Woolf's analysis of her. own situation made in order to determine how she, as an individual, can help to prevent war. But no one can read it without feeling a challenge to follow her example and think these things out also.

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES GROUP MEETING AT LEESTON A group meeting of women’s institutes helef at Leeston was presided over by Mrs Dick, group convener. An address was given by Mrs Boss Macdonald, president of the North Canterbury- Federation, who was presented with a posy. Mrs Dick reported that arrangements had been made to conduct a stall at the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral show for the sale of goods to assist the Institute for the Blind and Christchurch disabled soldiers.

MEDBURY

The monthly meeting of the Medbury Women's Institute was held recently. Mrs A. Dalzell presided. Mrs R. Macfarlane gave a talk on home nursing. Mrs E. G. Dalzell (vice-pre-sident), for the members, presented a gift to Mrs A. Sykes, who has left the district to reside on the West Coast. Competitions resulted as follows: — Loaf: Mrs A. Dalzell 1, Mrs C. S. Brooker 2. Bloom: Mrs W. T. Dalzell 1, Mrs C. S. Brooker- 2. During the social half-hour Miss Thelma Busch sang a solo and Mrs J. Fletcher played a pianoforte solo. The hostess was Mrs R. Macfarlane.

OKAIN'S BAY

The September meeting of the Okain's Bay Women's Institute was held recently. Mrs Challies presided. Motions of sympathy with Mrs A. Bain and Mrs T. Mora in their recent bereavement were passed.

The roll call was "The book I have most enjoyed recently, and why." Members were asked to. bring gifts for the lepers of Makogai to the next meeting. It was also decided to hold a bring and buy table at the next meeting.

Competitions resulted as follows: Flowers, Mrs Clarence Mason 1, Mrs

G. Challies 2; marmalade, Mias M. Moore 1, Mrs G. Challies 2; something new from something old, Mrs Challies 1, Mrs C. Mason 2. Hostesses were Mesdames J. Boleyn, C., Mason, E. Haines, and C. Reed. GLENTUNNEL The September meeting of the Glentunnel Women’s Institute was held recently. Mrs X,. A. Marshall presided Mrs G. N. Chapman continued the golden thread talks, speaking on the violet. , , ■ ■>,. . TShe results of the monthly competitions were:—Article: Mrs 1 Mrs E. Burmister 2, Mrs W. Tarling 3. Manfialade: Miss S. Harrison 1, Mr: G. N. Chapman 2, Mrs D. Boyes 3. Bloom; Miss M. Dickie 1, Mrs D. A. Marshall 2. Mrs Eric Burmeister 3. The roll-call was “A hint for cleaning a porcelain bath.” Hostesses were Mr G. N. Chapman, Misses M. Dickie and I. M. Gilmour. ,

TUAHIWI

Mrs E. J. Corcoran presided over-a good attendance of members at the September meeting M the Tuahiwi Women's Institute. The motto for the month was "Kind words never, wear out a tongue." Miss Fogo, Association for Country Education tutor, gave .an interesting talk on "Dress." Mrs W. Taituha and Mrs Tainui, jun., were appointed delegates to the half-yearly federation meeting to be held in Christchurch. Results of the competitions were:— Working man's lunch, Mrs T. Ryan 1,- Mrs J. Reuben, jun., 2, Mrs W. E. Crane 3; best blooms, Mrs W. Couch 1, Mrs Hutana, jun., 2, Mrs W. Taituha 3; traycloth, Mrs W. Couch 1, Mrs Hadfield, jun., 2, Mrs Reuben, sen., 3. The hostesses were Mesdsenes W. Crane, W. Couch, and W. Hopkinson.

FRIENDLY SOCIETY AT MAYFIELD The monthly meeting of the Mayfield Girls’ Friendly Society was held recently. Miss Emma Goldsmith presided. An invitation was received from the Tinwald branch to a meeting. Arrangements were made to visit the home of Mrs J. D. Murdoch on Wednesday, to see her poultry farm and receive instruction on the rearing of chickens. The Rev. W. T. Williams conducted Bible instruction lessons. A competition was won by Miss Merle McKenzie. Hostesses were Misses Emma Goldsmith and Ivy Simpson. Descriptions of weddings may be 1 inserted at the rate of five shillings (ss) per column inch, with a minimum charge of One Pound (£1) and photographs of wedding groups at the rate of five shillings (ss) per single column inch, with a minimum charge of Two Pounds Two Shillings (£2 2s>. —6