“Are We Failures?”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 974, 17 May 1930, Page 18

“Are We Failures?”

Dr. Ethel Bentham M.P., Replies to Lord Newton’s Challenging Statement that “Womens Effort in Parliament is Absolutely Nil”

BjggFHV, E 'women failures as KW members of Parliament? vidious question to ask jjnrglT of one of that small band now struggling to-, justify its existence to its own inner consciousness, if not to the outside world. It is an old maxim of a kinder-hearted time that nobody should be asked to incriminate himself (writes Dr. Ethel Bentham. J.P.. M.P. for East Islington, in the “Daily Chronicle”). ITojvevcr, as I am but a new recruit, a humble back-bencher, whose | part up to now (so far as visible I to the outer world) has consisted ill one short maiden speech, it is not so I very painfully personal. Incidentally, it may be recorded that the speech aforesaid was short, was audible, and made its point, such as it was, without exordium or peroration. These qualities, whether one holds them virtues or not, cannot always be attributed to masculine efforts. Like any other serious discussion, this one ought to start with a definition. What is a successful member of Parliament? Is it the man who occupies most space in Hansard, or has the most omnivorous curiosity to show, at question-time? Or who is always ready at his party’s need with most yards of irrelevant and obstructive speaking? Or is it the one-who finds mOst gallery tickets for constituents, or pays most attention to their individual grievances, or who makes most speeches at week-ends? Or he who votes in most divisions? Or does most work on committees in the background. Whichever criterion one does decide to take, however, it is evidently impossible so far to give an answer based on anything more solid than impression. Could it be said decisively of any man in his first Parliamentary year that he was, or was not, a success? As well ask a young architect or solicitor newly admitted to a junior •partnership in a firm of good standing whether or not he was a success! Call no man happy till he is dead. He may cover the firm with glory in time, or he may cause the Senior partners’ white hairs to, descend in sorrow to the grave. Cases can be adduced of members in their early years in the House, boys leaving school, and ' young architects, professional men : who showed no marked outward and i visible sign of great promise, and yet later made a great mark on their generation -and tlie world. Contrariwise, many who have made such meteoric appearances as to dazzle all beholders have, like meteors, passed away into invisibility and forgetfulness. So whatever it is that men expect or want —or don't want — from women in the House, one may suggest that the time is yet short for making a final judgment. Yet, as a kind of interim report, some indications may be noted. There are 14 women out of 615 members — j approximately one in -43 —and of these j seven are absolutely new to the ; House, and two or three of the others have had but a very short experience. Neverthtless one, as a Cabinet Minister in charge of an extremely difficult and intricate subject, has successfully; steered a Bill through a House

bent to Hie uttermost on Ministerbaiting. A Parliamentary Secretary has been generally admitted to have known her subject and:her Bill at least as well as any Minister in this or the last Parliament, and to have shown quite as good capacity for finding joints in an opponent’s armour. A Parliamentary Private Secretary lias done yeoman service. Two i new members have made ! (again by general consent) really adI mi ruble maiden speeches. Two others have shown a diligence j and persistence in speaking which ! bas at least called for notice. f do not; think any other forty-third part, of the House, unless entirely composed of experienced front bench ors, could make as good a show. Thai is the interim report for the first half year, but, of course, we may not be able to keep up to that high level. Bivt is not this, after all, an absurc question to put? The work of Parlia meiit is not only that which appears in Hansard. Suppose every one o: the 14 had been an unqualified failure that each and all had broken dowr in a first speech, that one had* beei led out in hysterics, that another hac defied the rules of the House or in suited the Speaker, or imitated i well-known member in throwing i book across the Chamber and hac i had to be removed by the Serjeant at-Arms; that some had missed criti cal divisions without pairing, in orde: to attend a bridge party or some othe; ' festivity, or had felt that an all-nigh sitting was something they could no conscientiously take a part in; tha they had committed every possible Parliamentary sin. Even so, the: would not be failures. If Parliamentary “success” implies hawing had an effect on one’s day am generation, even then we should be counted “successful.” For we are there not only as individuals, but as the crest of an advancing wave; a wave of desire and determination that hai been gathering these many years ii the land, that every human creature of whatever class or race or sex, shal have an opportunity. We are there because we were, mos of. us, part of that great movemen lor human rights, which is alread: revolutionising society, and other: outside have been borne along witl the tide. How great are the changes onl: those who can look back 30 years cai realise. We are there because women too, felt the urge to leave the worlt a little better than they found it, am knew that they had their gift to offer No more than men are we free fron ambition and self-interest; no mon than men are we always wise; n< more—but we believe no less—are w< courageous, industrious, self-sacri ficing; no more, but again no less, di we always hold clearly and stead fastly to our ideals. But we are one half of mankind and therefore we know that even i every one of the 14 individuals wh< are now in the House were to tun out weak and useless, women wouli not be failures. There are mor< j coming steadily on to fill up the rank and to help co-operatively to read the happier, better and more peacefu future toward which aP mankind i s triving.