The Scheme of Things

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 32, 7 February 1931, Page 19

The Scheme of Things

By M.H.C.

•An. institution visited by the Dominion dolegates to the international meeting of women at-Berlin \vas one aituat-, ed high in the hills near Vienna. This building, which is used now for a model institution for children, was formerly the country palaeo .of tho Archduke Leopold Salvator, which, after changing'hands.onco or twice, was bought by tho .Vienna Municipality. An inscription carved' over the entrance is.'apt, aiul is as. follows: "Who builds palaces for children breaks down prison walls." The institution is used as a clearing house for sub-normal and other children—those with bad environments, either of association or place, who are neglected, unwanted, or whose parents nfo in'prison. These children are selected ;by f ; the school authorities, and go for a 'jtfgriod of mental and physical supervision. It is an invaluable place; as the young ones can be taken there at oneo when found, and there is no waiting for formalities. Then after roception inquiries are made, and examinations held, the children are passed On to'various homes, but touch is always Kept with them at •' the -'' clearing houses" till they are provided for, or £ourid quite normal. Thero is a clinic for psychiatry, well started, and a plan is made for the encouragement and development of the child. , An elaborate workshop is in connection with the institution, which ensures hand-work for some of the young dues who turn out to bo particularly good at it. There is a gymnasium with shower baths attached. There is a chapel and a cinema ; arid in connection,with the latter it is often enough ■'■ to ' threaten .. deprivation to make" the most unruly come into order. The girls, do most of the printing — a machine being provided —and .they produce programmes, menus, and other necessary articles. The children are divided up into groups of 25- while in the home, each group, having a lady attached as well as men- in charge: Each group has an open- stairway attached to its quarters, and this- provides against tho spread of any kind of infection. Largely the value of this place seems to be that it is ari immediate relief for trouble, whether in connection with environment, with cruelty, neglect, or any other'disability from which children suffer—even in these supposedly civilised times. As soon as a child, or family, is reported by n school authority as being in any kind of trouble, the child is removed to safe and happy conditions, and then inquiry is made. It is likely that after inquiry a child may be returned to the former home, but, in any case, it is known to be under some sort of supervision, and the neglectful, or cruel people aro warned. In other countries there are the "Circumlocution Departments" of one sort and another to be reckoned with, and in the meantime., while these are moving with extreme deliberation, deadly and irrevocable harmmay.be. done. Where .children are concerned' promptness is the most valuablo quality of all, and should tic exercised on-the-same linos as mentioned at the Vienna institution. ' While the headmaster of Eton' (Dr. Islington), in addressing girls, gave it as. his. opinion that there; are. really iio great feminine poets, artists,' or musicians (Q,E.D:«),'ho gives women the palm, for practicability. He believes "that women could govern the country far better than any man could do." This is a wonderful tribute from1 one who has, so far, in his public an-

nouricemehts depreciated women rather completely. It is very interesting to examine the saying of a man who must have had both education, personality,^ and talent to attain, to a high position such as that of headmaster of "Eton. People nowadays are looking put for muddles.. In the past, there was a great feeling that'"whatever is—is .best," however, bad it might be, and people had a great "dread" of' change, as well as 7a-' blind- belief, in' .''authorities," such its "heads of .departments;" of businesses, and of civic and political worlds. Nowadays, as there is little reverence'left, the younger people, and many of the oldbr, ones, look askance at muddles, at'over-staffing, 5: and at extravagant administration., They ask, "What .does .this..or that .'department cost?" /'rWh'at good' does it' do?" "Where is it really necessary, and could it be done without,, or flessened considerably?"; All these questions arise nowadays. Then follow associations and departments' of. women' who administrate funds, and carry on work, either in business or in social welfare, and their methods appear to be always much more economic and more effective at the same: time. Therefore the "feeling is growing gradually, but surely, that'women are the 'practical people of the world. Men, according to a recent London.writer, are capable of producing wonderfully great and beautiful things in the. world bf art and letters-r-thoy stand almost alono-^-except for a stray woman here or. there—and are able to develop the artistic side of life; But -^-when it comes to■: practicability—the woman every/time! : >. ' ■ , ". * * .'■'*. .' ■. .■■**-, London is a great centre of thought and investigation, and it is very striking that such opinions I should come from there. In America, the same opinions are being freely broadcasted, and every visitor from that1 great land, brings news of the advancement of women to positions' of administration in a big way; The Americans' are eminently practical people, and their experience is large and far-reaching. These facts make for a great deal of thought which can be developed on useful lines. So far this country is being mainly "small" in its outlook on to the woman question. 'It is afraid. It hesitates for fear women should enter into some of the privileged paths which have been, so far, reserved for one sex, whether wisely or unwisely. , The ideal of the day is to utilise everything and everybody to. the best advantage, and to give to the individual as much liberty in self-development as possible. Every_ modern teacher works on those lines] and the aim is to make the best of each child as:, it grows, and passes through the school 3. If this continues, the time must. comeI.when the practical girl, full of business talent, will find her place suitably, in spite of her sex. What follows must then be that she administers somewhere in life wisely and well, not being placed for any other reason than competence. 'At the saino time, the unpractical dreamy boy, who would shine in literature, art, or higher mechanics, will not bo penned down to an.office stool, or a workshop where he will bo an unhappy "squaro peg" without, hope of escape; later, from' sheer force of "sticking to it," rising to. be a man in charge of a department which he^haff-hot the slightest talent or inclination to administrate except on stereotyped lines. All this comes into a, most interesting question of the day, and one that, needs the best thought of the best people. It resolves itself into the question/"How to get the best out of the talent of the world?" '; .