The Feilding Star. Published Daily. MONDAY, OCT. 2, 1893. THE PROGRESS OF WOMEN.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 80, 2 October 1893, Page 2

The Feilding Star. Published Daily. MONDAY, OCT. 2, 1893. THE PROGRESS OF WOMEN.

Lv a lecture delivered in Cambridge (England) last month, to University extension students, Mrs Fawcett commented on the social progress of women during the last hundred years, aud said no modern movement was in its aspects so important as that which was gradually changing and developing the position and sphere of women, and they recognised in it one of those great world-changing growths which marked an epoch in the history of humanity. Even some of those who opposed the movement wore profoundly influenced by it, and were cordially working to assist women in their endeavours to become worthy of the new powers entrusted to them. In some respects the women's move- 1 ment might be regarded as having a democratic origin. The introduction of machinery and the transfer of industries from the home to the factory had changed the daily life of vase numbers of women — it might almost be said of all women — and this change had reacted upon their mental and moral condition. The economic independence of women had laid the foundation for their social independence. After referring to the higher education of women, and the happy results which were the outcome of it, tho lecturer considered the women's movement had not affected injuriously, but rather helped to develop and increase women philanthropists. When the news reached England that women's franchise had been granted in Now Zealand, the leaders of the movement in the Mother Country must have experienced a thrill of satisfaction.