WOMEN'S POLITICAL LEFOR'S LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2455, 7 May 1915, Page 3

WOMEN'S POLITICAL LEFOR'S LEAGUE

« . WAR AND HOSPITAL WORK. At the monthly meeting of tho Wellington Women's Political Reform League, presided over by Mrs. C. ISarle (president), Mr. Ernest Hadfield gave an interesting address. Ho pointed out to iliis audience how much was at stake in connection with the war and what we were lighting I'or. The slowness of the Britisii-speaking people was not a sign that they were unpatriotic. The situation was absolutely unique, lor never was peril brought homo so close as now. The scientific and musical qualities of.' the German people—thoir culture—were only skin deep. Many years ago Bismarck had said that if ever the German nation got France down again she would never rise. To grind under the heel all and sundry was the spirit animating the German nation. They talked of an indemnity of seven thousand five hundred millions, which Mr. Lloyd George estimated at four or. five times Britain's annual income. Germany was evidently anticipating. If such an unthinkable thing happened we would bo governed by a Parliament which in no way resembled our Parliament, but was merely the Kaiser's will.

One fundamental of this war was that we were trying to uphold social and national liberty, especially the rights of the smaller nations. When the smaller nation was denied the right to live one thing and one thing only would deter Germany, and that was force.

Mr. Hadfield spoke warmly of the great effort which Russia had made in abolishing vodka and also of the prohibition of absinthe which France was carrying out. He also referred to the outrageous attack upon hospital ships, the use of asphyxiating gases in battle, the poisoning of wells in Africa and the placing of germs in mines in which men worked—all of which were Germany's methods of warfare. The most outrageous criminals which could be found in any of the gaols of tho world could do no worse.. "Picture to yourselves," he said, "the Kaiser standing on the blood-stained ground of Belgium calling on God when his very presence on Belgian soil, devastated and laid bare, was in itself a blasphemy upon that One whose Name he called!"

In speaking of the fine record of our men at the Dardanelles Mrs.' Earle moved the following resolution from the chair:—

"That this meeting of the Women's Political Reform League desires to place oil record its high admiration of the valour and gallantry of our soldiers who are fighting the battles of the Empire at the Dardanelles, and to extend to the mothers, wives, and sisters of those whose names adorn the Roll of Honour a grateful acknowledgment of the lasting debt the women of New Zealand owe to the brave men who have fallen in a noble cause."

This was carried in silence, those present standing meanwhile.

Mrs. Suisted, secretary of the Wanganui Women's Branch of the league, said that although the branch had not been very long in existence they already had a membership, of two hundred, and it was steadily increasing. Although they had not been successful in putting their candidate into Parliament, they had got more votes for the Reform Party than it had ever gained before. She was very pleased to see that women were taking a more active share in public life, but there was still much to be achieved, especially as regarded educational work. She was pleased to see that the Wellington branch had been taking it up.

Mrs. Hadfield spoke of the work which women could do in regard to the comfort and well-being of the soldiers, and made an earnest appeal for the continuance of their efforts to the end of the war. She thought the greatest sympathy should be felt for those men who were breaking their hearts to go to the fiont but who for health reasons or for family ties or for financial reasons were not able to follow the great wish of their hearts. It was not fair to judge those who have not gone to the war, and many a mail who was apparently strong and well was in reality "not a first-class life."

It was decided at the meeting to contribute the sura of £10 a month until the end of the war for comforts to bo forwarded to tlie stationary hospital wherever it might be. Contributions will be received by the treasurer, Miss Speed, Hobson Crescent, who will forward them to the Mayoress, Mrs. J. P. Luke.

Several new members were elected, including Mrs. G. Fisher.,