TWO NOTED AUTHORESSES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1843, 1 September 1913, Page 9

TWO NOTED AUTHORESSES.

' -<v— MEET IN DEBATE. An interesting description was given in "The Queen" recently of the'meeting in debate upon the question' of woman's franchise.of two of tho moit distinguished women novelists of the day, Mrs. Humphrey Ward and Mrs. Flora Annie Steele. It is curious to reflect that Mrs. Humphrey Ward, whoso; intellect, in its breadth and its grasp of social and political questions, has a peculiar masculino quality, stands to-day as ono of tho strong opponents of what.is known as woman suffrage (stated the writer). Listening to her on that occasion,,admiring her scholarly presentation of :her reasons for this opposition, one felt that if any woman could convince any man of her right to political- equality with him, it would bo Mrs. Humphrey Ward. Widely read, a maker of perfect phrases, a speech from her, uttered from tho front bench, would surely do much 'to restore Parliamentary eloqueneo to tho placo from which it has ignominiously tumbled in theso latter days. Mrs. Ward has shown in her philanthropic work powers of organisation alid administration, not granted to every man. She is at her best in public life; moro than ono social movement owes its success to her; a fid any argument of hers on any subject 'must'obtain a respectful hearing.

Her opponent on tho question of the suffrage, Mrs. Flora Annie Steel, is on the other hand essentially feminine, not only in Iter appearance and'in her manner, but in her activities. An accomplished cook, a perfect housekeeper, I have it on tho best authority-'her 'knows thoroughly all tho needs of women, not only in their work, but in their homes. In the debalo sho showed herself to bo a born leader, one. who has the power of winning tho affection of her subjects. Attired in hei 1 flowing robes, after tlio manner of Indian women, as she predicted that the vote must inevitably bo granted to us, sh& had all tho air of an inspired prophetess. Witlty to a decree, incisive in speech, sho knows how to plant a shaft so that it would strike home. That is the salt and savour of debate, the uttering of tbo jest that tickles tho palate of the audience, and that yet has tho sting of truth in'it. And she is sincere. Mistaken or not, she believes that the granting of the Parliamentary voto to women will be, for tho good of humankind, of woman'and of man; she pointed out that itl must . unite, and not divido tho 6exes, as it gave them a common interest in 'the welfare of the nation.

Both Mrs. Ward and Mrs. Steel aro well qualified to lead. Representatives of their time, any woman would consider it an honour to servo under their banner. This is tho ago for unity amongst women; we have learnt from' men the power that cooperation giires us. A duel between leaders is always interesting to the rank and filo of a movement. Progress is won by overcoming obstacle; tho opponents of a cause aro sometimes unconsciously its best advocates. Tho meeting arranged by the Women Writers' Sulfragn League, but not in any way "packed" by their supporters, was singularly significant and of historic interest in 'its aspect. Perhaps had all been •voters, it would have received considerably moro notico in the newspapers that are conducted by men. But then it would not havo happened. Thero are compensations in every lot.