WOMAN!

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3610, 16 January 1906, Page 2

WOMAN!

Some few days ago the correspondence columns of the “New Zealand Times ” contained a contribution, the sentiments of which aimed strongly against woman talcing any part whatever in public life, and contending mainly that her place was at home by the fireside. Since that first letter appeared. it is quite, amusing to survey the columns of the Wellington journal, for they have been severely taxed by correspondents, some of whom rightly make a strong defence on behalf of the weaker sex, while other prefer to gain notoriety by exploding the worst forms of womanhood* To

speak plain, some of these writers have stooped so low as to instance the vices of the gentler sex as apparent perhaps only in these particular correspondents acquaintances. Such views appear to fairminded persons to be of a biased nature, and in defence of the sterner sex, we uphold the true woman, and so protest against the views of “ Omar ” and “ A Mere Man.” The latter must be referring to his own particular experience with women, when he apparently brands the feminity of the world with the evils of their minority. He plainly classes women as unmitigated liars, and being utterly devoid of sympathy. “A Mere Man ” should remember hat there are “Women’ 1 and vVomen! Also that there are “Men” and Men! We fail to class “ A Mere Man” under the category of true men. His sentiments prevent us ! However, the mbject has opened up an interesting topic, and one which needs much consideration. But at must be fought out on just lines. “ Should women enter public Life?” seems to us a fair question to discuss. But we have no time or the personal abusive methods idopted by some of those who rush into print attacking woman ust for the sake of attacking her, who give vent to their vile minds by exposing habits of the practically prostituted woman and endeavour to make belief are the habits of the woman in general; and who in their endeavours to do such are unwittingly degrading men down to the level of the woman they would have us believe dominates this world. It is true that Mrs Gaskell wrote ‘ ‘ The code of honour does not extend to women ; they are frail, therefore they are allowed to lie.” It is ilso true that George Elliott wrote ‘ ‘ God was cruel when He made vomen.” But even such sentences are incomparable with those )f “ A Mere Man ’ ’ who attempts to bring dishonour on even his own sex when he refers to women is “simply animals, who, like other animals, will fight to the leath for their young, but whose sympathies never extend beyond hat.” One would wonder whether this “ know-all ” correspondent was born of a woman or not. However, his attack would us to believe that he was a stranger to the comforts of motherhood or sisterhood. His argument in the main counts for nil, and will have no effect unless it is to belittle men in the minds of the weaker members of the gentler sex. One argument introduced by another correspondent is worth ' :<e consideration, that being that re average woman of the present lay knows little of the cares of maternity. We honestly believe that a good percentage of those entering wedded life have not been educated sufficiently to undertake :he ordeal of motherhood, but we are pleased to note that of late years efforts are being made in the right direction. Also in the direction of general experience necessary for women in their responsibility of keeping the home together. Scientific medicos certainly aver that woman has less brain power than man, and perhaps she can be excused if she is frail. But as men, we are bound ■:o admit that her lot in this world is much harder to bear than ours, and when attacked by slanderers it seems to be our duty to protect her, even though we may not think the time has arrived when she should enter public life. We honestly believe average woman has much to learn yet of home life, but firmly believe that the time is not far distant when our progressive country will have every little girl publicly educated in such duties from the time she leaves the cradle.