VOTES FOR WOMEN.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 664, 15 November 1909, Page 8

VOTES FOR WOMEN.

Sir,—There are in Great' Britain many societies, militantand. constitutional,"working all over tho country, to secure 'the Parliamentary franchise for women on the same tarms as it is,' or may'lw, grantod.to men; Ithink it probable that graduates and students in New Zealand bo. particularly; interested in' the ScottishiXJnivorsity Women's -Suffrage Union. " In Scotland the registoT, of porso:iis possessing the university franchise is idontiisal with the roll of graduates, which includes the names.of women as well as.men.; Women graduates are therefore entitled to vote by; English law, yet at the last election they wore refused voting papers. Thoy look thoir case to the Court of Session and were defeated .there. .Tliey then appealed to the House of Lords, with the, same repalti an : adverse decisioia: was {[iron on th^

legal ground that women were 1 not, "persons." Finding, that the British'law was deaf to the claim- of justice, the women' graduates formed themselves into an association'; the aim of which is to appeal to the intelligence, senso. of justice,.and sympathy of Scottish electors. . The union is therefore at present engaged-in canvassing the towns and villages of Scotland. Miss Mncmillan, who, most ably - pleaded the case for the women graduates before :the House of Lords, is carrying;on the campaign in tho ''' while. I am in charge, of "the southern districts. '".' ■.. ■ , - ..iinfc few people outside Britain realise the acuteness-of the situations The,-press hardly, mentions tho innumerable meetings;' processions and demonstrations, and misrepresents militant tactics. ■ •. It strikes me very 'forcibly that British' women need all the help, they can get in their great struggle for political liberty. As a New Zealander I wonder and marvel'at"tho unreasoning projudice', the bitter obstinacy and dishonourable conduct of some of. those' who are opposed 'to this; reform. • Had, such things as nave' come before my notice ..in the last two years been described to ma while I was in New Zealand, I should' have found them very difficult to believe.' If among your readers there are any who are interested in the work of the if there are any who feel that those who enjoy, freedom should help others to become free, I should be' glad to communicate, with, them: »' '.-'•'!.:■"■ We need encouragement; detailed information and statistics as to (ho working' of (bo women's vote in New Zealand, and financial help.—l am etc".,. .-■'-,' PRANCES-M. PARKER.. "' Corstorphino . Hill House,, by Murrayfield, •Midlothian, Scotland. September 27.