False Standards of Good Taste.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 24 July 1914, Page 8

False Standards of Good Taste.

(By Mrs. FRANK LEARNED.)

There are many false standards in these days, and unless people have strong inward convictions of .what is right they may become confused and find it hard to distinguish between the true and the false. Many difficulties will be solved and many struggles wtill be saved if we cultivate right thinking and right doing. Wherever the well-bred, well-edu-cated woman goes she has a task before her. It is to show a standard of good taste. This is not done by setting one's self up as superior but rather by the force of a very quiet example. One may always be firm but winning, definite, but without giving offence. ' What may be .termed the "light touch" may help in a perplexing situation. It has been cleverly said that virtue need not wear hob-nailed shoes, but may be daintily shod and both light and sure of foot. One of the temptations to-day is gambling among women. The passion for getting something for nothing grows rapidly by what it feeds on. It is so easy to begin by thinking that it does not matter to play bridge for a. small amount of money. We are told that it "adds to the fun, the excitement, and it is so dull otherwise." Soon there are larger amounts played for, and losses occur which cannot be afforded. ft is not the conscience of a hostess dull when these conditions are encouraged knowingly ? Women have become involved deeply in all sorts of anxiety and deception to meet gambling debts, or to be able to keep up with richer friends during a season. Nothing is more quickly destructive of noble principles than the gambling habit. "I do not allow any exchange of money in my house," said a hostess at a bridge party, "but if you want to play for money you can pay up iwhen you get out !" This solace to an easy conscience might truly be called beating a certain i ancient enemy "around the bush." The use of paint and powder on their faces, a practice which is prevalent among some thoughtless women and girls, marks a. tendency ! towards untruth and degeneracy in womanly character which rightminded men and women observe with deep regret, anxiety, and mortification. I A girl who begins by thinking it is no harm to paint and powder her face is already deteriorating in character. j False standards are undermining ! her sense of right and wrong. Anything that is a pretence, a sham, an outward violation of truth, has a slow but sure elTect on the conscience. Anyihing that tends towards lightness, flippancV. in conduct or appearance is disastrous. —"London Uudtret." l