MRS. LLOYD GEORGE ON THE SUFFRAGE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3175, 28 August 1917, Page 3

MRS. LLOYD GEORGE ON THE SUFFRAGE

WOMEN AS SOCIAL REFORMERS. Mrs. Lloyd George, in a recent interview with Judge Neil, of Chicago, pointed out , how in her opinion tho newly, won right of suffrage for women might directly affect the baby-savins' campaign, states the "Manchester Guardian." Kepression of tho drink evil and <i greater interest ou the part of women in the national aspects of social questions aiyl child welfare work were among the results she predicted, "Experience has shown that in some municipal elections women have been laggard in using tho suffrage which was already theirs," she said, "but the effect of the war has been to throw women into much closer relations with public life and national activities than were formerly' theirs. I fully believo they will now be keen to nso their new right of suffrage." "And to what purpose?" Judge Neil asked. ■ ■

"Toward the solution of social problems," Mrs. Lloyd Georgo replied, "and perhaps first of all," sho added, "their influence with the vote will show in tlio handling of th« drink problem. I think ultimately the women voters will secure the abolition of public-houses and of the liquor traffic, just as they have dons in some regions of the United State*. "Men employed in hot munition factories and around the great furnaces, with their terrific heat, will continue to want their beer, and medical opinion backs them in their statement that they must havo a plentiful supply oi beverages of sorab sort. I often tell, temperanco workers that they must find a reallv satisfactory substitute for beer before they can make great headway." "But if women's influence with the vote finally does away with the .drink evil, as I think it will," Mrs. Lloyd George continued, "many of the other great social problems will likewise be solved by this one fact. Conditions of housing, sanitation, health-all those will be bettered. Men who now spend their money in excessive indulgence in drink will then spend it instead in clothes and shoes and comforts for iaieir children. "If women rid the land of the drink evil I believe a great forward step will bo taken in the baby-eaving campaign. We may expect that the little ones will then be raised in happier and more healthful homes, mothers will bo stronger and more reliable, and fathers more nt for the caro of their families."