THE BRITISH SUFFRAGETTE MOVEMENT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2632, 30 November 1915, Page 3

THE BRITISH SUFFRAGETTE MOVEMENT

. PANKHTJRSTS. IN BAD ODOUR. By Telegraph—Pre3S /;ABBOclatton-Oopyrljslit i - ,London, November 28. : At a meeting of-members, and recent ex-inemberS of the 'Women's Social and Political Union, a manifesto was issued emphasising the necessity of safeguarding the'suffrage cause from political intrigues. ■ The' document declares that Mrs. Pankhui-st, without asking tho con- ■ sent of members, used'the union's name for political, purposes .outside its objects. An overwhelming majority, if they had been consulted, would, have been.in favour of keeping the union organisation, alive for such national and patriotio purposes as protecting women's' and children's interests, preventing an increase'of infant'mortality, and assisting in. the organising of women's industrial resources for the service of the country in time of peril. Mrs. Pankhurst's, circular' of August, 1914, advising, members to take a vest and sus-pend-their activities, had virtually, disbanded the-union as a national organisation.' Mrs. Pankhurst retained complete control'of tlio union funds and the central machinery- She had the assistance of a salaried staff in pursuing her various activities, without the consent, or approval of the. union's multitude of trained voluntary workers and speakers throughout the country. This explains the : small scale of her operations compared with the magnitude of the. union's pre-war work.- She usurped to expel members., including almost all who possessed influence:'- capacity, and independence, and had callous indifference to these devoted. women, many of whom, but for individual help, would be s completely destitute. Mrs.- Pankhurst and _ Miss Christabel Pankhurst should' resign or clearly explain their absenco from the country at a time .when tho services of all women of capacity and goodwill are sorely needed.