Notes

New Zealand Tablet, 30 March 1911, Page 578

Notes

Our Last Robe tx iDr. David Smith, in his new book, quotes a ' grim Italian saying' to the effect that 'our last robe, is made without pockets. The Belfast Mother ~~~~™ Whoever else may have been deceived as to the significance of the McCann agitation, the women of England at least, have not been taken in. In this case it is the men—and particularly the pressmen—who have proved themselves the 'soft' sex. On the woman's aspect of the question Votes for Women the official organ of the English Suffragists and an ably-conducted and very widely circulated journal has the following in its last issue :- \Ve have referred two or three times to the case of a Mrs McL/ann, a married woman living in Ireland. She lias been deserted by her husband, who has refused to maintain her. . Why has this case been brought up and mace the subject of. a debate in the House of Commons" buch • a story is common enough. Married women are wronged every day by reason of the laws of marriage and t he law of the guardianship of children. Everyone knows that children born in wedlock have but one parent in the rf'hts fe f W ~ tliat the father alone possesses parental rights. Do the wrongs of women appeal to the sense of justice of our legislators? No. It so* happens that h tins particular case the • wrongs of this wretched woman can be exp oited in the interests of one side of the game party politics. That is all that concerns the politician. Slf nf S + T ly one USP i tor the 1 misery of the unrepresented half of the community, and that is to utilise it in debate to serve his immediate ends.' B * Women are not taken in by the sorry * spectacle of these together they have crucified on the cross of their whom together they lave crucified on the cross of their uniust and iniquitous laws. We know perfectly well that neither Catholic priest nor Protestant minister is responsible for tragedy.ilustrated by the case of Mrs. McCann . a these indignant politicians who are so ready to use a wretched /° mail plight to confuse political issues to them ov. n advantage, give women the Vote and thus allow oW T T a + T° ICe thG ialdll g of laws that they must t L k M e ° nl ? Way ,n winch*politicians can prove sympaThy ' th ° ro ™ a^th hm but self-interest in the*

Universal Races Congress We have been asked to find space for the following 'lnvitation to Greater Britain,' which has been issued by the Executive of the Universal Races Congress which is to take place in London in the last week of July. The invitation, which is dated February 4, 1911, sufficiently explains itself. 'Dear Sir, —The Central Building of the University of London will witness this July (26th-29th) one of the most inspiring sights of history. Representatives of all the races in the world will meet as equals and in council to discuss how prejudices may be removed and friendlier relations established between the Western nations and the other peoples of the earth. Never before has a. meeting of this kind taken place, and it is to be hoped that it will be only the first of a series of such gatherings. The First Universal Races Congress will be truly inter-racial; for India, China, Japan, Turkey, Persia, and Egypt, as well as the African and other races, will be represented by writers of their own kith and kin, Great Britain being represented by Sir Sydney Olivier, K.C.M.G., Sir Charles Bruce, G.C.M.G., and Sir Harry Johnston, G.C.M.G., among others. No empire occupies such a vast area nor has its constituent parts so widely scattered as the British Empire, and accordingly no other empire has to face so constantly the grave problem of being fair and just to other races. For this reason it was only right that the First Universal Paces Congress should take place in London, and that the support should mainly come from the Empire. No less than twelve Colonial Governors and, eight Colonial Premiers are among the Hon. Vice-Presidents of the Congress, besides several Cabinet Ministers in England." * ' The Congress Executive issues herewith a hearty invitation to all friends of the cause of inter-racial friendship in the Colonics to make a very special effort to attend the Congress and convert it into an imposing demonstration in favor of good will between the peoples of European and those of Asiatic, African, and Australian descent. The Committee hopes that the Coronation of the King and the festivities and exhibitions connected therewith will act as an additional incentive to Colonial sympathisers of the great cause to undertake the long journey. It feels sure that those who attend will carry away with them precious memories, valuable knowledge, and a new hope for the near future. Full details concerning the Congress may be obtained free of charge from the undersigned, 63 South Hill Park, Haumstead, London. Trusting that you may find space for this invitation, I beg to remain on behalf of the . Executive, yours truly, G. SPILLER, Hon. Organiser.'