MRS. PHILLIP SNOWDEN

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2284, 19 October 1914, Page 2

MRS. PHILLIP SNOWDEN

AN INTERVIEW,

By now many people in Wellington have had the opportunity of hearing for themselves Mrs. Phillip Snowden speak —the woman who "counts" so tremendously in England as a live force in all matters that- make for racial reform. When that is sxid one knows without hesitation that in these two words "racial reform" is included the struggle for women's franchise- in Britain, the fight against intemperance, the struggle for bettor working and living conditions for the working poor of tho Mothei Country, aud especially for better chances for the children. Mrs. Snowden is not like some travellers who have rushed through the Dominion with a day or two's stay iii somo of the towns and have then readily expressed their opinions upon the country, its people, and their characteristics. "It is difficult to look into tho minds of people, women especially, when you are passing through the country with such short stays in tho towns," she remarked in tho course of conversation with a representative of The Dominion. "The only indication of their general trend of mind is when I am addressing them at a meeting aaid they' esproas their applause. Thon you know what they we.thinking and foeling, to a certain degree. Of course one nieeta individual women, but their attitudo of mind doe_s not always represent the general mintl. _ "One thing has struck me forcibly, and that is 'the wonderful development of tho country in'the short timo of its colonisation. To mo it is nothing short of marvellous', and tho early colonists must indeed have been men and women to bo proud of. Especially tho women, because the heaviest part so often falls upon their shoulders, and I tiiink there ought to be a monument in every town to the pioneer women. We have heard so much of the Pilgrim Fathers of America, but so little of the Pilgrim Mothers"

Because of her. earlier work among the slums of Liverpool, Mrs. Snowden was asked what would happen to the poor of Great Britain during the war. "I really don't know. Unemployment is spreading owing to tho closing down of the cotton and woollen mills. You saw by the cablegrams that the Government has prohibited tho export of woollen-goods except to tho colonics, and that will mean unspeakable distress.. Thoro is ono thing—the rich are very generous at such times, and will do their utmost to help. Already much has boon done to give tho people employment, and much money given for their help. I think New Zealand has been wonderfully generous in her gifts to Great Britain. .When one remembers that she has a population of about ono million of people, including, women and children, and that she has been giving men, horses, munitions, money, aud help of many kinds, ono cannot express what ono thinks of such generosity, such patriotism."

TJio check given to the women's stifLfrage' movement in Britain by the war was tho next thing spoken of. "It, with many other social reforms, will have to bo held over for a time in tho great reconstructive work that will have to bo faced whon tho war iB over. Of courso we think that it is only through tho woman's franchreo that tho drink question can bo fought and many others, and that is why I have dropped all other work for the franchise. I am not militant, because; L believe other methods aro hotter, but ; then many people do not see, eye- to eye with one another. Another social reform that wo havo been' fighting for and that cannot be gono on with is tho maternity scliemo which Lloyd George has boon supporting, and which was inaugurated by tho Women's Independent Labour Party. It meant, roughly speaking, that by tho care, nursing and instruction of women both before and after their children wero born, a better chance would be given for the coming race. This had been undertaken to a certain extent by municipal bodies,_ but by this Bill tho State would make it its concern. In another way, there will bo a breaking-down of barriers for women because they will bo bearing the burdens that before tho war often fell upon tlfc men,' and to fit themselves for tho new conditions of life other aspects of education will have to. bo considered."

Mrs. Snowden believes in giving girls every educational opportunity for which their Abilities fit them. "You would not forco a boy to bo a lawyer who had no inclination nor ability for that career, nor should a girl bo forced into a life for. which Bhe was not fitted."