The Scheme Of Things

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 45, 22 February 1930, Page 19

The Scheme Of Things

(By M.H.C.)

As might be expected, the programme for Hie Quiuqueimiul Sessions of the International Council, of Women, which : will take place in the. Hofburg, Vienna, from 20th May. to 7tii Juno, lias been arranged, so far as the Austrian women are concerned, with a meticulous care, which lias left no: consideration unprovided for tlio business to be transacted, or the pleasure and comfort of the delegates. The preliminary draft which has been issued is a wonderful document, and should be full of interest to women who follow the affairs of their sex at all. Among the pleasures offored is an invitation from tho National Council of Hungary to visit Budapest from Wednesday til] Sunday, when the members hope to show their guests the beauty of their country. " Then the women of Czecho-Slovakia have extended a like invitation for members to visit Prague., Special sightseeing and travelling facilities have been arranged, also lists of hotels and pensions with prices. There will be exemption from paying on the Austrian passport, and a 25 per cent.*,reduction on the Austrian railways. These are only a few of the provisions of 'welcome, but they are worth recording, as suowing'.the drawing, together of tho women of the nations in a great friendship which must have its effect on the world. 'Morning and evening meetings of the council are to take place each day, while Sundays .-md evenings will be given to social or religious functions. Among the provisions for government of their deliberations is one which New Zealand women have already found a wise one, and have adopted in many organisations—that is the addition of the words to a clause in the constitution as follows: "and no person shall occupy tho position of president ' for more than two consecutive electoral periods." This is to be.proposed by Norway, and seconded by Sweden. The National Councils of Argentina and Peru are bringing forward a very interesting suggestion which will cause a smile on the part of New Zealand women, who probably will not understand it. It is as follows: "Considering that Spanish is tho official language of Spain, and of the majority of the countries of America, and considering also that this language is studdied, in all the countries of the world, so ,that it may be called a universal language, be it Tesolvcd that the Spanash language bo declared one of the of-, ficial- languages of the. International Council of Women." The United States would probably consider that they are the representative people of the northern part of.the Continent, and would hardly subseribo to Spanish being any kind of a universal language in America! There is among the committees ono which is to give special consideration to "Popular Arts." It would'be interesting to know what land of arts are referred to, and if Poster Art comes within the committee's jurisdiction. Supposing that posters are as offensive 5n other.parts of the world as some are in Wellington, the committee would have a busy time. ' It might be a good thing also to get some of the particularly disagreeable ones photographed and sent to this international committee for their opinion, asking them what they think of them as the provision for "the people's gallery" in a city which is of as much importance and consideration as Wellington. The "training of children in international goodwill is a subject to be brought forward. The opening sentence is good, and is as follows: "To enable a child to strike root in its natural setting of family and. homeland remains to-day, as in. the past, the first principle of all sound education. . .'Alike for its own balanco and for the general well-being, tho child, who is the citizen of to-morrow, should be brought to the idea of duty, and learn that it will have to fulfil actively all ita obligation^ to its companions, to its village, town ', or country." Then it is suggested that instruction should not stop there, but should show that this consideration should not be confined within national boundaries, and that there is an inter-community of rights', and an actual and ever-increasing interdependence. Children should learn that civilisation is the common work of all people, including those who, ■in the course of centuries, have been the most b'ittei1 enemies. .. The remit develops on fine educational lines, and should bring •forth ah interesting discussion. Under the heading "Laws," the first mentioned is that all National Councils be invited to form committees to study the conditions of police service in tjheir own countries, and" to press for the institu-tiou-'of women police. Then follows thewuggestion that tho laws relating to family life should receive special study in each country. Tho very sensible and practical suggestion is made that the Governments of all countries be asked if the facts concerning the family obtained from personal declarations, from legal acts, and from judicial decisions are not only registered, but also collated, and if so, under what conditions; also that the National Councils should ask for the results obtained in those countries which, under whatsoever form, have somo system of registration more or less complete. If such records are kept, the natural uso of them, of course, would be that of reconsideration of laws relating to families which rlo not appear to bo working justly or successfully. Most people could easily find "weak spots" in'the laws which, in their own experience, are either frankly unworkable or which press un-. duly on cither husband, wife, or family. The natural result of collating such evidence would bo to bring it before the different Parliaments, with the object of revision or repeal, and much good would accrue. A campaign against niaisons tolerees, and strengthening of laws against traffickers, with the. raising of tho ago of consent to the standard marriage age, are all Subjects which come naturally before such a council, and which will never be dropped till these "national sores" arc cured. Migration, wages, international trade, public nutrition, education, films, and finance are all down for consideration, and as the "round table" system is to be observed, there will be no overlapping, nor will the committees have more subjects for study than is reasonable for each to undertake. Tho members of , each committee will be chosen with judgment, and the countries will each lie represented. In all, tho plans for this International Meeting are well considered and arranged; and it is to be hoped that the results of the deliberations will be made known widely throughout the world, as being of value in tho way of information and suggestion.