THE SUFFRAGETTES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1732, 24 April 1913, Page 11

THE SUFFRAGETTES.

Sir,—As one who lias soon a good deal of tho world, and has seen a good deal of tho wickedness of human nature, I rend with a great deal of amusement your correspondent's letter on iho above subject iu this niornins's isMie, over the signature "One "Who Distrusts Violent Women." It reminds one of a parson preaching in the pulpit and deploring tho work of the devil, though the devil's work is still going on, and he is doing nothing practical to stop it. "One \Vho Distrusts Violent Women" is no doubt one of those who say women's place "is in the home," etc.; etc. I'er'naps he will lie surprised to learn that: a very large number of women and a very Itige number of men have no liomc, and im possibility of getting one. -Many a good woman's hearthstone is the flagstone of the street, and jt is nil attributable to unjust social coudituVh.i ami lolli-n men-made laws. As to the white slave traffic that is one of the most horrible state of affairs that has ever existed in the history of flu- human, race, and it is directly attributable to unjust' social customs and mcn-nuu'la laws. The marriage laws, tho divorce laws, Hie criminal laws, are all insults and crimes against women. Women have remained patient under the l most horrible cruelties for thousands (if years, and it is about time they received justice—real justice. .As to- "violent women" destroying property, that is the only way they can bring their grievances to the front. Good old "property." A man can half kill his wife and he gets fined 10s., but if 'lie stenls n loaf of bread for his starving children he will get six months. As to the value of the vote, that is the only way in which women will get justice. It is true that in Xew Zealand not much has heen duue in this direction; hut the women do not realise yet what enormous power they have in their hand?. As it is, the woman vote has done goad work, as it has practically killed the liquor curse, and it is working for good in other' directions. The position of women here is much better than it is in the Old Country, but there Is room for vast improvement in thd laws and administration of iustice in this country. The New Zealand bigamist and wife-deserter is very nnic'h in evidence, to say nothing of girl seducers and other vermin. There is no doubt that nt the present time women arc not protected. What with unjust laws, unscrupulous lawyers, depraved men juries, and red tape Judges, justice for women in tills country is nothing more or less than a farce—l am; etc., A HERE .MAS.