THE SUFFRAGETTES.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1915, Page 2

THE SUFFRAGETTES.

iPOLTOOAL 'UNION AMGSY, MRS PAMKHURST HAS TEB PAY. By Cable.—Eress Association—Copyright London, Nov. 28. A meeting of members and recent exnicmbers of the Women's Social and Political Union issued a manifesto emphasising the necessity of safeguarding the suffrage cause from political intrigues. H declares that Mrs. Pankhurst, without asking members' consent, used the union's name for political purposes outside its objects. An overwhelming majority, if consulted, would have been in favor of keeping the union organisation alive for such national and patriotic purposes as protecting the interests of women and children, preventing the increase of infant mortality and assisting in organising women's political industrial resources for service to the country in time of peril. Mrs. Pankhurst's circular in August, 1014, advising members to take a rest and suspend their activities virtually disbanded the union as a national organisation. Mrs. Pankhurst retains complete control of the union funds and central machinery, and has had the assistance of the salaried staff in pursuing various activities without the consent or approval of the union's multitude of trainnd voluntary workers and speakers throughout the country. This explains the small scale of her operations compared with the magnitude of the union's prewar worlc. She has usurped authority to expel members, including almost all possessed of influence, capacity and independence, and has shown callous indifference to these devoted women, many of whom, but for individual help, would be completely destitute. Miss Christabcl Pankhurst should resign or clearly explain her absence from the country at a time when the services of all women of capacity and goodwill are sorely needed.