"PROFESSOR KIRK AND THE SHOP GIRLS."

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 787, 9 April 1910, Page 6

"PROFESSOR KIRK AND THE SHOP GIRLS."

■ ■» ' ,' ■ ; .' [To the Editor.]' . Sir,—May I thank "Kelburne" for having drawn my attention to Professor Kirk's speech of last Friday. Having been for many years connected with ■shop.life (in fact, ever since financial stress forced-mo to leave-college), I am, perhaps, able to take up arms on behalf of.the hundred of shop girls with whom in many billets I have come into contact. ' Where does Professor Kirk get his.information? Has he ever attended a meeting of a body of shop-hands ■gathered together for any purpose whatever? l lf so, would .be refuse them the title of "ladies'and gentlemen?" and be man enough to tell them to. their faces that'they were "coarse, vulgar, and indelicate?" Or must I afisume that much learning helps to kill courtesy, to foster snobbery, and to make the fortunate few (oft-times at the price of their parent's starvation), who are able to attend college, into that, most despicable species, of all humanity—the educated , cad ?.- -, I hope not. I think with pride' of the endeavour my own parents made. Perhaps after-this I shall thank heaven that .1 had to take the so-called "lower position" in life and work. The Professor speaks of ."self conquest." I am glad, as. it shows he realises the existence of such a quality in human nature. Let him look into himself, and then keep his eyes open, and see that there' is ■ also an "education of commerce," and that commerce and education are not antagonistic, and see also that there are hundreds of our best women citizens, our- noblest church, workers, and, perhaps, best of all, our home-makers in Wellington City, who without the aid. of a college education, have had to in their earlier days employ thoir time in the capacity of a "shop girl." Emerson says: "A man cannot .'speak, but he judges himself." .Professor Kirk has spoken.—l am, etc.', "„,,-■■■ ■ A. S. EVANS." Pahiatua, April 5.