GERMAN WOMEN IN POLITICS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 654, 25 March 1914, Page 7

GERMAN WOMEN IN POLITICS.

T CREASED ACTIVITY FOLLOWS REPEAL OF ABSURD LAWS. One of the most striking features in the development of modern Germany is the number of societies which have been organised and the conferences which are held on all subjects directly or ind'irectly contributing to the welfare of the nation;, and it is little realised how large a share women are taking in them. It is natural that this should be so, for every year sees an increase in the number of women who are entering the trades and professions and,taking part in public life. While the employment of men has increased 20 per cent, during the last 12 years in Germany the employment of women has increased 57 per cent, in, the same time. According to the "Queen" a full third of the economic labour of the German Empire is at present carried on by women. Statistics show that there are 9,590,000 wage-earningj women in Germany, which means that a very large proportion are contributing to the rayidly-increasing wealth of the country. The repeal of the law forbidding; women to attend political meetings or to join political societies, which had been in operation in Prussia and Bavaria, has increased the political spirit among women, and has done much to advance their aims. The injustice of this law did more than anything else to open women's eyes to their position, and to stimulate them to agitate for the elementary rights of joining political associations. The most reactionary and the bit.teresti opponent of "women's rights" could but admit its glaring contradictions. While it forbade women to join political societies it allowed them to , form associations for the purpose of elections ; while they were not permitted to be present at political conferences they might arrange or be present at public meetings convened for political objects. It/ was necessary to resort to absurd subterfuges, as, ;'o: - instance, to suspend a meeting while a woman addressed it, and' after she had finished. to l , declare it open again. Moreover, the women in the States where these laws existed could not be prevented from becoming members of political societies under neighbouring Governments. After the repeal of the law all political societies made haste to solicit women's support and co-operation ; they were nominated to responsible official posts, as members of executive committees of political associations, and they were entrusted with difficult work, while questions of special importance to women are now dealt with in speeches and in political publications. It is, however, a significant fact that the majority, held aloof from men's societies, and under the leadership of brtlliantf women are strengthening and consolidating their own.