MISPLACED CHIVALRY

Shannon News, 6 March 1928, Page 4

MISPLACED CHIVALRY

Probably to feminist women there is no more irritating phrase in the mouth of a magistrate than that beginning, “If you were a man,” to point out that a convicted woman is getting slighter punishment than a man would receive for exactly the same offence. Undoubtedly, there are cases where sex should be considered, but certainly not one of cruelty to animals. “The Women’s Leader” uses such a case happening lately in England, where a woman was merely fined for starving sixteen cow S and a calf. “It is true that women are seldom involved in eases of cruelty to animals,” says the “Leader,” “but we fail to see, when they are, why deferential treatment should be meted out to them. It is, moreover, an unfortunate fact that the concession of small and undesired privileges to women is often quoted as an excuse for the denial of equality in more important matters.