A "RAGGING" INCIDENT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1473, 22 June 1912, Page 5

A "RAGGING" INCIDENT.

SUFFRAGETTE SUFFERS. Miss Shecpshnnks, the daughter of tho former Bishop of Norwich, in nn interview with tho "Daily Chronicle's" Xonvich correspondent, gave an account of tlio rccent "ragging" incident, to' which attention has been called iu l'arliiunent. She spoke readily 011 the matter, ns she is uiixious that puuiic attention should he drawn to it in order that women politicians may bo protected from annoyunce. She explained that she, Miss I'liillippa l-\ Fnwcctt, Miss Jlnrt-Davics, and Professor llaberton wero campaigning on behalf of tho National Union of Women's SniVragc Societies. They stayed over a ••:00k at Biccster and held many meetings in the outlying districts. At the meeting in Bicester the fo ir n:o;i who. it is stated, broke into her bedroom, stood at tho door and scoffed at her fml the others.

"Just before closing time/' said Miss Sheepshanks, "theso four persons come to tho hotel and made straight for iho bedrooms Tho other ladies were in the coffee-room. That tho intrusion iv;is deliberate and planned was clear, for tho men ordered no refreshments and the public rooms. Wo heard u fearful noise, and went upstairs and saw these m°n in my bedroom engaged in what is known as 'making hay/ They were throwing tho bed-clothes about and disarranging the articles on the dressing-table. Miss Fawcct.t ordered them out of the hotel, and they went. I fetched the police, who told me I had no means of redress, and that only the hotel proprietor could take steps to punish the offenders. An apology was demanded and was refused. Our only weapon therefore." said Miss Sheepshanks, "is public opinion, and that, is why I ani willing that tho full facts shall become known. Ladies engaged in legitimate political work should b3 protected from gross insult. Tho 'ragging' of a lady's bedroom is altogether outside the sphere of legitimate political reprisals."