THE WAY OF MEN.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1947, 2 January 1914, Page 8

THE WAY OF MEN.

In tho course of an'interview with a representative of tho Sydney "Daily telegraph," Miss Annie Jackson, sister 01 George Jackson, Bantock, Liboral member for Gainsborough, Lincolnshire (England),' said: "By the article oi the National Insurance Act thero must be a big committee in every towii to work it, and on each committor a certain number of women, to look after women's interests, such as seeing to maternity benefits, to domestic servants, and so forth. Whenever wo pass an Act 111 England that affects tho people generally ,many women are appointed on the committee of administration. Then when our charities are reorganised it is the custom of the Government to insist on having a certain number of women on the .committees. As instance of how things were managed when there were no women on tho Boards'of Guardians was when tho committee of men had arranged for tho clothing supply for the children of a certain orphanage, and entirely omitted, pocket handkerchiefs' from the list."

Miss Jackson said that so far as she could see at present women in England were.not likely to get the vote, because tho three parties are afraid of tliem. Tlio Liberals will not give them t'he voto for they might vote Conservative; tho Conservatives fear they might vote. Socialist, and the Labour party think that with a limited franchise a large .number would rote Conservative. The position .resolves - itself'-rather into a' question of liow, women will voto than into', a consideration of their, right to j vote,'and.as it is impossible to tell what they would do neither of the partieß dare -take the leap.- It is' absurd to Llama the militants for putting back the women's vote because thero never lias been any immediate probability of women gaining it. Did not Mr. Ascjiiit'h declare that it would bo a national calamity to give it them. The average man in ' England has 110 objection to either a. widow or maiden lady with property -liaring a vote, but he will'not near of his wife having it. ; Though not a militant, I am strongly in favour of votes for women, and hope while in this part of the world to have a vote.