WOMEN’S POLITICAL ASSOCIATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 64, 18 March 1901, Page 3

WOMEN’S POLITICAL ASSOCIATION.

A CLOSE DIVISION. The G.W.P.A. met on Saturday evening. Thero were about a dozen members present. The Secretary read a letter from Mr Siglcy, and then Mrs Somervell brought forward the motion of which she had given notice at a previous meeting, that the Association be disbanded. It was seconded by Mrs Maynard. The burden of both ladies’ remarks was the apathy shown by members, and the little apparent good effected by the few who made a duty of attending the meetings of the Association. Tho case for the other side was strongly defended by Mr Johnston, who considered it would be a great mistake to dissolve the society, even though the meetings were only held, say, once a quarter. Its influence must not bo measured by what was more immediately appavent. He knew that what was debated here was tallied of in. the workshops of the town, and the country people took a lively interest in reports of the meetings. There were, perhaps, not fewer than a hundred girls in town employed in one kind of business or another, and one never knew when one or more of them would be glad of theassistance such an organisation could render. He felt quite sure the average attendance here was as good, if not better, than any other association in Gisborne — the National Association met perhaps once a year, and the Liberal Association’s monthly meeting was not better attended than the women’s. Again, the women’s association was affiliated to the National Council, and though much had been said about making it more fully representative, he regarded the National Council chiefly as an educative body, an educative body of no mean value —new ideas were not usually popular nor largely represented. He thought it would he a great mistake to dissolve the Association. —Mrs Scott, and one or two other ladies spoke in a similar strain, Mrs Scott, however, expressing herself as inimical to National Council methods. —Mr Sievwright did not consider the object for which the Association was formed was being fulfilled. Neither the exchange of views and opinions on matters of public interest, nor much mutual help could be afforded if the women would not attend. If people

did not want education on theso matters, we could not force it. He thought it would be better to wind up. Mrs Scott moved an amendment, to the effect that the further consideration of Mrs Somervell’s motion be postponed till next annual meeting (September 19th). The amendment having been put (President and Secretary declining to vote), the result was a tie. Mrs Sievwright said she had purposely abstained from making any remarks on the subject, and had left the matter in the hands of members. She was very sorry there should have'been any call for such a proposal as Mrs Somervell’s. Notwithstanding that had been said, she could not help feeling that oftimes their meetings were a sham, and shams -were both ugly and depressing. Members who, measured their responsibility by the payment of 2s 6d, were not quite desirable. At the same time, it was possible that many of these women took more interest in what was going on than we were aware of. It might be that 2s 6d was the only outward sign by which some of. them were able to express their sympathy. Slip would give her casting vote for Mrs Scott’s amendment. The Association will meet next Saturday evening, to discuss National Council business. # , "*