CHILDREN'S' WAR ECONOMIES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 270, 27 April 1917, Page 3 (Supplement)

CHILDREN'S' WAR ECONOMIES.

IDEAS IN THE LONDON SCHOOLS

Dr. C. W. Kimmins, Chief Education Inspector of the London County Council, has examined 1,340 papers written by eleven-year-old boys and girls on the subject of how they can help in the war, and h;is delivered an interesting lecture, based upon his conclusions, to tho Child Study Society. Seme of tho entertaining things which his investigation yielded were given by Dr. Kimmins to a "Daily News" representatve. "It 3s quite clear," ho observed, "that there arc fundamental differences in the attitude of boys and girls of this age wli ch are absolutely independent of school conditions."

For example, in ccnsdering war economies, tho licya are against total abolition, as applied to their luxuries, whereas the girls are in favour of it. Says tho boy: " Only buy sweets when you 'feel that you simply cannot do without them." But the average girl's advico is: "Give up such luxuries as perfume, sweets, and cakes. Perfumes do you no good, and sweets and cakes may cause indigestion." On tiio other hand, the average boy feels that normally he eats too much, whilst the girl sees no need Sor reform in this connection. Say the boys:

Instead of eating because you like eating, you should eat just as much as is good for you. Don't give things to '.ho cat, but savo them for vourself.

Tiiis represents the girls' views

Have a good meaf when you are about it, and then you can wait a long time. Girls can help by encouraging their not to take intoxicating beverages. Don't give bones to the dog, but stew them; they make lovely gravy.

BOOTS AND CLOTHES

The care of clothes obviously calls for more restraint with boys than with girls. Thus we have these little items of personal revelation from the boys:

Do not kick stones about, beoauso it wears your boots out much more than not kicking stones about. Wo must not buy new clothes, because our old garments might get the moth in tliem.

"With the girls," said Dr. Kimmins, "it is different. Economy in clothes, though it may be a serious matter, does not mean such an interference with the joy of life as in the case of the boy." Hero aro typical quotations:

If you buy a pair of new boots, the mar who makes them has to keep a soldier waiting for his, so that you l are a traitor to your country.

Girls can save in clothing by changing into old things on going homo from school.

If children fidget it wears out their clothes.

PICTURES AND SWEETS

A point noted by Dr. Kimmins was that whereas girls continually refer to the amount they ha.ve saved, the beys make no reference to it. Both seem to consider picture palaces and sweets their chief extravagances. A point insisted upon by the girls is the value of cbedience, not only in making tho affairs of life work without frieton, but also in producing that happiness and feeling of satsfaction which only obedience cm bring. Thus:

Girls must behave when teacher is not looking.

But the boy is different. "He regards obedience," Dr. Kimmins pointed out, "as a necessity and adopts a war measure, but he never refers to any resulting peace of mind as a consequence." Boys, like the one who says: "Boys should fish for bloaters and reduce household expenses," are keen on raising money. But the whole question of war work is summed up in this reflection :

Wo children will have to put this country right after the war, so we must work hard and become well educated.