MRS PANKHURST AND THE MAORIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 264, 15 December 1909, Page 1

MRS PANKHURST AND THE MAORIS.

A NEW VOKK MEETING. WHAT A MILITANT SIKH; i.„. 1, IS LIKE. New York, October ao. Mrs. Bmmcline Paukliiii'rit, iiuiluil as "the greatest political leader'oi moderi times" by the New Yuri; suffragettes, has been .creating a bit of a stir in this city. Incidentally, also, she has had tin assistance of three Maori women—three members of the Maori entertainment company at present performing at the New York Hippodrome. The newspapers printed the photographs of Mrs. Pankhurst and the Maoris in reporting the big meeting of suffragettes held in Carnegie Hall the other night, and if ever they get woman suffrage in America the Maoris will no doubt claim some of the credit for bringing it about. Thus the New York World: "Three Maori women votersi who occupied scats I on the platform from which Mrs. Pankhurst, the suffragette leader, spoke at Carnegie Hall attracted much attention. One of them, Kirmatao, has voted in her native country for twenty years. She is the widow of a popular chief, and is the oldest member of the tribe now visiting this city. Waapi, a half-caste Maori girl, and Erena, a full-blooded Maori girl, were the other two. They are both educated and leaders of political opinion among the women of their tribe. The three women are strong advocates of prohibition, and vote what is known as the Conservative ticket in their country. They are greatly interested in the suffrage movement in this' country, and point with pride to New Zealand as the first to recognise the rights of women by giving them t'le ballot thirty years ago. How the women of New Zealand go to the polls with the men, their method of secrecr, voting, and the various other customs that have prevailed in 'one of the best governed countries in the world' were subjects about which the Maori women were called upon to explain to admiring questioners." The World does not explain exactly what the Conservative ticket in New Zealand is, nor does it give its authority for the statement that women have had the vote in that country for thirty years; but little things o: that kind don't worry the newspapers of New York. The Maori women were given "a night off" specially to attend the meeting. Mrs. Pankhurst is a surprise. She is a very pretty woman for a inilitaint suffragette. She has soft blue eyes with a merry twinkle in them; she has nice brown hair; she is' not more than fortylive. She looked more like a woman accustomed to playing the organ in church than one in the habit of throwing stoues through the windows of Parliament House. "Get that habit" is what she advised the ladies of New York, who, if I their talk means anything, intend to get it. The ladies of New York, like all good Americans, can talk most fluently. When Mrs. Pankhurst was introduced to the Maori women she shook them warmly by the hand and said, "Ylou have settled the question for us, and we owe New Zealand our thanks." She made a great speech, and alluded to conditions in New Zealand and Australia, showing herself thoroughly familiar with them. She showed, indeed, that she is a keen student of polities in all countries. Mrs. Pankhurst concluded her spirited address by a reference to New Zealand and Australia, and, pointing to flit Maori women on the platform, she said: "If the native women of New Zealand are considered good enough to have a vote, then I saw it is time the white, women of England were emancipated and allowed the same privilege. Of this at all events you may be sure—this is a light to a finish, and, having put our hand to the plough, we shall not turn back until we have reached the goai we are striving for." Mrs. Pankhurst has been invited to visit Australia, and though she says tS is' impossible for her to do so for some time to come, s'he hopes to accept the invitation later on. If she goes to Australia, she says, she will certainly include New Zealand in the visit—Wellington Times' correspondent.