The National tribune., 1908-03-04

enness is concerned the statement is
made that while the Unitedi; Kingdom
consumes 3.57 gallonsssof rintoxicants
yearly, Australia consumes only $50
gallons. LEGITIMACY, tits true. is more
prevalent in Australia than u in Great
Britain, but she does not equal Scot
land in this respect--that land of
churchgoers and supposedly austere
morals. m
But while the police reports of a coun-
try may be highly satisfactory, its peo-
pie may possess traits Iof character far
more destructive to healthful national
growth than a heavy crop of 9burglaries
or violent assaults, which, at least, show
a vigor and energy. 1t is thel drug-tak-
ing, moking;is, caYd-playing
gambling, loafing, UNDERSTANDING habit
that bears the most deadly fruit. The
parent of these vices and many more
is irresponsibility, and this phase of
character is most pervading in Austria
liza. 1t is a common thing to find an
Australian boasting, talking and testing
of that of which he should not speak.
In his attitude to life he is crudely ma
terialstic. The pleasure that he un-
derstands, that he works for and gives
himself mp to, is dependent on sense
and the things of sense. He lacks ut
terly the feeling of responsibility. ideal
| ity and depth of character. Before Aus
make some changes. They must give
up the habit of looking to other Ma
lions for ideas on art and literature
dress, dining and dancing, methods OF
| pronunciation and national defense
| They must get a belief of some kind, a
| religion, even if fanatical, a point OF
national honor, something, anything
that will arouse them to seriousness
and give them an appreciation of the
| Il, of % no mn
prepare himself for a great emergency
| to die for some one or something if nee
essary, and when he does this his vices
and virtues will take care of themselves
At present if the average Australian
were asked whether it was not his high
est ambition to die for his country he
| would think his questioner either crazy
| or fool.
The Women.
Women in Australia occupy a posi-
| ton in many respects TO be envied- The
men are supposed to have shaken them
selves free from sex prejudice, and wo-
men are allowed to do about as they
please All avenues for self-support
] are open to them, and there is even a
| certain class who consider that the
public life of the continent is threat
Tened with feminine invasion. The ordi-
larry Australian woman of leisure prideS
herself on her up-to-dateneSS, hel
knowledge of the world and men, and
her lack of sentimentality. She is usu-
ally very clever, and there is no part
she cannot play if called upon to do so
In the great game of make-believes she
has no equal. She is full of quaint and
Illogical surprises, and a man must be
keen witted indeed to keep UP with her
The Australian woman is born actress
There are more stage-struck girls In
Australia than any other community
of the same size on the earth. Those
who cannot act behind real foot
lights do so at home or in the houses
of their friends. Both the churches
and theaters are almost entirely sup
ported by women, particularly the for
mer Men almost never go, to church
and the women patroniZe the theatel
to. an amazing extent, Many of the
women go in for politics. and this class
is RAPIDLY growing, many for higher
education, and as everywhere else one
finds in Australia all kinds, of women
doing all kinds of things. !; A love oil
dress, fondness for jeWelry, a passion
for display, taste for theaters, ten
dency to gush, dislike for solitude, g
mania for admiration, all these are
manifestations that are constantly to be
observed among the Australian women
which are also characteristic of the
ajority of women of all countries. Or
the other hand Australian women are
notably endowed with discernment