WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1461, 8 June 1912, Page 11

WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.

LETTER TO MISS niLDA SPONG. Whilo in the south Miss Hilda Spong stated that she did not think that women should allow themselves to becomo entangled with politics, and that her place was in the home. These setitinientsnavo roused at least one indignant lady to a reply. Sho has written to Miss bpong as follows:— "Christchurch, May IG. "Dear Madam,—After reading your remarks re women's suffrage, I cannot refrain from a littlo criticism. You say women could do better by looking after their homes than by getting into, politics. Now, I am sorry you do not take a wider view of tho question, as a woman and a skilful actress. Women have to comply with tho laws. Tho gentlemen ask for their votes. Then why should women bo debarred from assisting to make the country's laws? Ton must know that on women depends the rise or fall of a nation. Woman's power lies in the palm of her hand if sho would only realise it. Our Minister for Defeuco says he will enforce the Defence Act. Well, if the women of New Zealand give the conntry no children, where will Mr. Myers get his boys to train? Let mo say that in 10 years from the present time I guess they wonld have more officers than cadets. Every man one hears spenk on woman's rights says: 'Woman's place is her home, looking after her husband and children.' Now, that is all on the surface.' They forget that every woman has not got a home, husband, and family to look after; besides, all women who take any part in public matters havo not got young children—they may have reared their family, and the> husband is old enough to look after himself. So long as women are kept bock, so long will we

have brainless men. How can a mother give her children mental power when she is debarred from exercising her own brains? Every man dees not seek the political life, neither would every woman. Only those would do so who have tho interest and ability to do so. Women are fit for .other work than brushing out and dusting a few rooms, cooking, etc. .. . Come into our Tanks—tho stage can set forth a better lesson to the people than the churches. Please bear this in mind—'With women dwarfed and bound down, it will be impossible for the race to grow.' With Tegard to the Christchurch people re theatre audiences, all I have to say is that Christchurch and the majority ot her .people are decidedly Enrich.—Yours very respectfully, .• "'HILDER.' Christchurch."