A Young Reformer.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 579, 5 February 1876, Page 2 (Supplement)

A Young Reformer.

A young Japanese lady now at school in this country has written a letter, in very fair ' njrliah to the Japan Gazette, setting forth the reforms which in her opinion are needed in Japan. Like most persons of her sex, she does not advocate any half-measures. The platform which she lays down ia (-ays the >ew York Times) hrief, but it is comprehensive, bhv demands first the adoption of Christianity; secondly, an i > increased supply of scissors— made ' commensurate, it is to be presumed, ' with the wants of Japanese woman ; | thirdly, reduction of taxes; and fourthly the adoption of the custom of inviting a large number of guest to wedding 1 parties. The spiritual, material, financial, and social needs of the Japanese ' are thus fully provided tor, and the ' young reformer is to be congratulated on the breadth and practicability of her statesmanlike views. As to the proposed adoption of Christianity and reducfcion of taxes, these are measures which will command the approbation of the civilized world. The scissors question is, however, open to argument. It must first be demonstrated that there is a real lack o.f rcissorß in ■* a pan. There may be an abundance $o scissors in Yokohama and *• agasaki, , and a comparative scarcity only in Hakodadi. The scarcity in the latter place may, however, be fancied instead of real, and at all events would not alone justify a demand for inflation in scissors Of course, if there are not scissors enough in Japan to move the crops — we should say to slit buttonholes and cut out clothing -more a<-is-sers are desirable ; but we must first know the real facts of the ease before any political action in the premises would be justifiable. As to the desired increase in the number of guests at Japanese weddings, the young refomer's demand is undoubtedly duo to her association with American school girls. It is in itself a harmless demand, and if it meet* the views of Japanese ladies generally we may look to see it speedily granted. But how does it happen that a Japanese young Jady who has resided here long enough to master our lan guage, and to concieve a desire to reform the Japanese empire, still refuses to see the superiority of the American style of dress ? She distinctly asserts that she would prefer that her countrymen and her countrywoman should continue to dress in Japanese ftyle. *he evidently fancies that the flow ing garments of Japanese women are preferable to the " pinbacked " skirts and enthusiastic bonnets of American ladies 'I his is very ■ad, and it indicate* so great & degree of mental darkness on the part of Miss TJie Tsoda, that it will hardly be Bitfe

to adopt her unresrvedly as a>teadtr in Japanese reform. — F, i^vm ]>«,' r.