PARTY CONVENTION

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1932, Page 5

PARTY CONVENTION

U.S. REPUBLICANS THE PROHIBITION QUESTION. (United Press Association—By Eiejtnr. Telegraph.—Copyright.) CHICAGO, Jun e 11. At the Convention Stadium, the Republican National. Convention openpd to''’the music of Dixie, payed by the largest pipe in the world; ana capable of a yo.uine equivalent to two thousand band When it roareef,, ho human voice could make itself heard.

The day’s business at the Convention, from the opening prayer, through th e organisation of delegates, and Senator Dickinson’s eulogistic 1 peech on Air 'Hoover was, however, of an extremely rousing character. The Republicans 'lived up strictly to the tradition of a well-managed gathering. The Convention session lasted only about an hour, kind adjourned until to-morrow, when the platform will be approved. Nominations occur on Thursday, after which the Convention will be adjourned sine die..

Two deeply controversial, matters, still remain Unsettled, namely the wording of the Prohibition plank, and whether Air Curtis will be retained ar Vice-President. One, was compelled to seek,, trends away from the main trend, fpri'.vital meanings in this Convention. .i,: Th e vital meanings are interesting enough, and not who’ly missing—-the position of women, for example. For the first time since women gained suffrage, they have begun to play a commanding part in the political 'Struggle. It is no secret that hitherto, the male Republican politicians gave women—and the . latter were quite content therewith—only decorative roles. They were placed on various committees, but their real power was small. Many of them, at this •Convention, have been ousted from their seemingly important but really innocuous positions. For instance, Mrs Yost (West Virginia), Air? APl'er (Alichigan), veteran women Republicans, were removed from their State iCommittees, but this is the first Convention in which women are actually doing the work of leaders. They deny that their forces are waging a losing fight here, but they are . being ably and mi.'itantly. led by such women as Mr® Boole (W.C.T.U.). . . '

The “Wet” forces in the Republican Party, which hitherto had no woman leadership, are here powerfully aiid actively Supported by Alesdaines Pratt aiid Sebiri (New York), two wealthy women delegates, who, moreover, conducted a very pre-con-ception repeal fight throxigiiout the country. MU* Addnniit descended upon Chicago to-day, with.women delegates of the International League of Peace, from every 'State, and staged a demonstration calling for the expression *»> the Convention 'on the question of armaments. She is a figure able to damirjind the highest respect, and acknowledged as the mott distinguished woman in the United 'States. Finally, a Communist demonstration which was * held a short distance from the Convention Stadium, under police surveillance, was led by a negro woman, who vigorously harangued her followers.