THE AUSTRALIAN GIRL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 198, 10 January 1913, Page 5

THE AUSTRALIAN GIRL.

THOSE "GOO-GOO EYES." A CAUSTIC INDICTMENT. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Melbourne, January 0. Mr Adamson. in an address to the Science Congress, said that if it was true the Australians were a gambling people, one must remember that Australia was a land of flood and flame, which was, and must be, a breeder of gamblers, or, to be more polite, men who willingly took risks. Their readiness and -resource were shown by the fact that Australians who wandered to make a living abroad almost invariably succeeded, thanks to the merciful Australian theory that no work could degrade men. The average Australian boy was lacking in chivalrous respect to girls of his own age. nor was the boy wholly to blame. There had taken place a gradual and even rapid breaking down of the old formalities In the intercourse of the sexes. The life of the camp and beaches was only symptomatic of the change that had been going on in the social system, whichever sex might be in fault. Later, he would say. without fear of effective contradiction, in adolescence it was almost always the girl who commenced casual acquaintanceshipg made in public places, if not actually accosting the boy, then by wiat might be mildly termed the look of encouragement. Nothing was more socia'Jy amazing than the way parents in respectable positions allowed their daughters to roam the streets unchecked, adding scalps to their belts in unwholesome rivalry, seeing who could pick up the greatest number of chance acquaintances. Then followed correspondence, almost invariably started by the girl. Mr. Adamson asked was no combination possible to effect a reform which would make girls value themselves at their true worth and so recover the 'lost respect of boyhood and take their rightful place?

Dr. Wilson did not believe what Mr. Adamson said regarding the boy and girl question. Dr. Mary Booth said there was very urgent need for the education of girls being entrusted to women teachers, who could understand the girl and protect her from dangers and mistakes.