THE MODERN NEED.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1924, Page 1

THE MODERN NEED.

SOCIAL WORKERS’ EMPHATIC VIEWS.

SYDNEY, Aug. 21

Mrs Richardson, a well-known social worker and the wife of Dr A. E. V. Richardson, who has just been appointed Professor of Agriculture in South Australia, expressed very emphatic views oil education for girls and women while visiting Adelaide for the Australasian Science Congress. Her assertion that many of the pre-sent-day girls’ colleges in Australia were becoming mere factories for turning out little snobs has met with round protests from many educationists in Melbourne' and Sydney as well as the other capitals. However, that little firework has probably attracted to Mrs Richardson’s contentions in favour of the establishment of schools for mothers a measure of attention that they would otherwise not have commanded.

“At present,” she declared, “our whole system, of education seems to be ivn.it;;. I remember visiting a Save the Children Hospital in New Zealand, and being shown a little creature weighing about four pounds oil a pillow. The authorities boasted that they had saved its life for nine months or so, and looked aghast at me when J said it seemed to me a sin to save such a poor deformed thing that had no right to live. If it did, it would probably lie mentally deficient or a criminal. “Why not, instead of saving the unfit, educate the mothers-to-be so that even pre-natally the children would he healthy in mind and body? All education should he compulsory until 18 years of age at least, though not necessarily free. There should he established domestic science colleges, schools for teaching trades, and, most important of all, schools for mothers.

•All men and women should he qualified for marriage in bodily and mental health,” she continued, “and should think no certificate ol more importance than this one. This would make for a better citizenship, a sturdier race, and a greater nationhood.

“Of all the professions there is none higher than motherhood. This is no reflection on our tine bachelor women, who are cosmic mothers, in that they have so many ol us to mother and help that they deny themselves marriage and children of their own. Among this Land of women arc included nurses and school teachers, members of two of the most noble professions on earth, and two of the most inadequately paid. Il seems to me that the braincr the job the less one is paid. The scientist gladly works 20 hours out of the 21 in the hope ot discovering even the smallest truth which will help his fellows—therein is his reward—but the two professions 1 have mentioned should he paid so highly that only the noblest types may he selected for such great responsibilities.” “I am not entirely in sympathy with women entering polities. 3 here is so much in a higher sphere for them to do. I hold that if a woman looks after her menfolk, he they husband, sons, lirotlters, or sweethearts, she will indirectly he making sticli men as are capable of minding this country. Be would then have statesmen, not politicians, and these are our country’s greatest need to-day. Politicians there are, hut they talk too much, say really little, and do less. “I do not agree with women sitting on juries in criminal oases, heeaiiso women’s hearts invariably sway their heads. However, J. think much good can he accomplished by having women cm Children's Courts, City Councils, and picture selection commit toes. “There should he a law to prohibit children attending picture shows, except specially arranged ones on travel or other educational subjects, say. once a week ; otherwise wo shall find ourselves developing a lot ol crooks, criminals, and even murderers. Geography, botany, biology, and other suitable subjects should he taught by the cinematograph in the Stale schools, also matters relating to sex and parenthood. In regard to the last-named subjects, 1 would like to see separate schools for hoys and girls. Mrs Richardson’s strictures on private schools for young ladies are refreshing. “Many,” she said, “have become snob factories. It is deplorable that many of the girls who attend them boast openly ol ‘inothei s soi vaills’ and ‘father’s motor-ears.’ H' s the duty of parents to awaken children to the seriousness of this state ot things. There is too much Irecdom, and "certainly 100 much mannish sport ~i,ls’ schools to-day. Calisthenics and eurvthmics should he practised on rising in the morning as regularly as takiim one’s hath or one’s hreaktasl. The result would he healthy, beautiful, "raceful, and refined girls, without so aiiirh of the tomboy element ol 10-dn>. which expresses itself m the t\pe '»'•< hears saying, ‘Riu.ht-0, old dear, o. ‘Good-o, old thing.