WOMEN’S PLACE IN POLITICS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 4, 26 March 1927, Page 17 (Supplement)

WOMEN’S PLACE IN POLITICS

A Story of Steady Progress (WRITTEN FOR THE SUN BY ELLEN MELVILLE. Some people profess to think women and politics will not mix any more successfully than oil and water. The man who “never did believe in women being given the vote" can always be depended upon to tell of all the harm it has done —“allowing women to meddle with things they are not capable of understanding.” Of this type is the hero of the delightful little story told by Dame Milliceni Fawcett. It was in the early days ol the war, when the women of England were being mobilised in every industry to free the men for war service. Mrs. Fawcett, as she was then, was having her coiffure attended to by her hairdresser, and in the course of conversation remarked to him: “Hairdressing should be a very suitable occupation for women to take up." "Oh, no! Madam, quite impossible,” said the hairdresser. “No woman could learn this business. Why, it took me a fortnight to learn it!” Then the woman who has "never been interested in politics” says no nice woman, no lady, would stand up and talk to a crowd of rough men in a public meeting, still less on a street corner. The enthusiasts, men and women, who expected to find the world reformed overnight under woman suffrage are sadly disillusioned. The woman who hoped to see the injustices of a “man-made universe” remedied forthwith is disappointed. But what of the great army of normal, intelligent, every-day women; what do they think? Have they gained or lost by their new status? Women's Bad Day It is only by comparing the position of women to-day with that of a century ago that a true estimate can be made of the wonderful progress that has been achieved. Up to the early years of last century women still suffered under the unjust and barbarous laws of medieval times, which gave to the husband and father absolute dominance in domestic life —and there was then no other life for women. The wife and mother had no legal power whatever in her own home. In the eyes of the law her children were the father's, and not the mother’s. Her property was under the complete control of her husband, and even her own personal earnings could be taken from her and spent by him as he pleased, even on another woman. Fortunately for the race, most men were better than the laws they made. But, as it was said, the unfortunate wife of an unscrupulous man had no rights, only wrongs. Gradually, however, grave dissatisfaction grew in the minds of thinking people with the subordinate position of women. It was realised that no true progress could be made until the wrongs under which women, and, through them, children, suffered, were remedied. By degrees the old laws were modified and reformed. The first of a long series of modern laws was an Act of the British Parliament, passed in IS3B, giving mothers a legal right of access to their infant children! Let the mothers of to-day give thanks that they live in the twentieth century, the woman’s century. The Right to Vote Side by side with these reforms, the first forward steps were being taken in the movement to secure for women free citizenship and the right to vote. For it should always be remembered by women with gratitude that many humanitarian laws bettering the position of women and children were passed by men before women had secured any political power. From small beginnings in the early years of the nineteenth century the women’s movement grew until in 1867 the leadership of John Stuart Mill gave it fresh impetus, and it developed into that great crusade which in less than a lifetime has produced a change of outlook, a change of heart, a new attitude of mind, modifying all our conceptions of right and wrong in the relations of men and women as social beings. In its spiritual and intellectual significance the movement will rank in historical importance with

the Renaissance and the Reformation, and in its practical manifestations it is equally significant. The fir§t fruits of the change were shown in the grant to British women in IS7O of the municipal franchise. About this time, too, the higher education of girls received a great impetus, and side by side with the spread of education among women grew the aspiration to share with men the duties and responsibilities and to enjoy equally with them the privileges of citizenship. Long before the end of the century every local franchise had been opened to British women, and step by step they secured an entry into the field of local government, where they served a long apprenticeship and rendered invaluable service as members of city councils, poor law boards, education committees and other local bodies. Of late years a considerable number of women have filled the position of mayor in important towns with complete success. New Zealand’s Fine Lead As in England, so in the United States of America, and in lesser degree in other countries, women had been gaining ground. New Zealand was the first country in the world to grant the Parliamentary franchise to women, this great reform being secured in 1893. The State of Wyoming, U.S.A., had granted the State Assembly franchise to its women in 1569. Progress was slow, however, and for many years the only enfranchised women were those of the two countries already mentioned, * and Australia, Norway. Finland, and a few of the Western States of America. Almost everywhere there was bitter opposition from Governments and politicians, who were jealous and afraid of the great new force which was striving to secure a place in the life of the nations. The history of the fierce struggle for the vote in England ,from the beginning of the twentieth century to the outbreak of the Great War is too well known to need repetition; as also is the story of the instant changeover of the militant suffrage societies, with their magnificent organisation, to the service of their country in the first week of the war. Although there is no doubt that the determined opposition of the British Government to the granting of the franchise was being gradually broken down before the war by the growth of popular sentiment in favour of the women, the advent of the war and the opportunity it gave to prov<* that the work of women was as essential to the very existence of the nation as that of the men defeated the last argument of the most determined anti-suffragist. With the passing of the Reform Act the first great battle was won. Freedom’s Rapid Spread Many other countries followed suit and within a few years the greater part of Europe, including Germonv, Russia, Scandinavia, Czechoslovakia! Poland, Hungary and Denmark had extended voting rights to women. It is interesting to find that in those countries which, as the result of revolution or new' nationhood, framed an entirely new Constitution unhampered by old-established traditions, women secured the widest political powers. In America the franchise has been granted in the -whole of the United States, and Canada, except the Province of Quebec. Even in Asia the age-long subjection of women is

Post-War Development In Many Lands yielding to the advancing tide, and in Burma, parts of India, and China, political rights have been granted to women. In China the tables seem to have been turned completely, and it is now' the long-suffering husbands who are demanding a return to duty on the part of the emancipated wives. In the majority of countries in which women have keen given the franchise they have captured a number of seats in Parliament. Germany leads the way, having had over forty women members of the Reichstag at one time. In some countries women have already attained Cabinet rank. In England the Duchess of Athol is a member of Mr. Baldwin’s Government. being Under-Secretary for Education. In Denmark Fru Nina Bang filled the position of Minister of Education with great ability and excellent results. She has just lost her portfolio through the fall of the Labour Government. In the new Government recently formed in Finland by the Social-Democratic party Miss Silaanpa has been appointed Minister for Social Affairs. In America two women have been elected Governors of States. But perhaps the crowning achievement is the fact that Mrs. Pankhurst has been adopted as prospective Conservative candidate for a London constituency. What Will Women Fight For? We may therefore venture to say women have arrived in politics. They have secured the “armour of education and the weapon of political power.” The question now is what will they fight for, and how? Have they achieved anything as yet? Investigation proves that there is no “woman block” in politics. Those who thought that women would form a separate group, that they would organise along sex liues, support w omen to the exclusion of men. vote en masse, were bound to be disappointed. Humanity is not divided into two opposing camps. All women are not going to think differently from all men on any subject. What has been proved is, what every intelligent person knew, that there is no line separating the brains, the judgment, the ideals of the sexes. Women are subject to the same prejudices, are moved by the same emotions, worship the same ideals as men. Thus men and w’omen alike support divers causes and are attracted to various political groups according to the dictates of type, temperament, and social outlook. And nowr both men and wo men, irrespective of sex, are being elected by the combined votes of men and women to represent these various groups and points of view’ in the parliaments of their countries. This does not mean that men and women think alike upon every subject, or that women have not a special contribution to make to the body politic. It means that at last women have been accepted as citizens and lawmakers, unhampered by sex prejudices, that they and their brothermen are working together as partners in the national life, each contributing their own special gifts. The old ideal of equality is slowly becoming an accomplished fact. Ancient Bogies Shattered Men are realising that they need no longer fear the ancient bogies of shattered homes and unsexed women as a result of woman suffrage, while the modern woman no longer believes that man is the “natural enemy” of woman. Co-operation is taking the place of antagonism. In the realm of practical politics it has been shown that women can work as loyal comrades with the men of their party, and yet combine with the women of other parties on questions which to them are greater than pai t>, the welfare of the weak and helpless, and the promotion of peace among the nations. Thus women may look to the future, full of enthusiasm in their new-found powers, proud of what has been done, sobered by the thought of all that needs doing, but confident in the belief that by loyal co-operation with their brother-men much may be done in building up a happier world.