WOMEN ON LOCAL BODIES.

White Ribbon, Volume 21, Issue 243, 18 September 1915, Page 10

WOMEN ON LOCAL BODIES.

The following will be of interest to our readers. At the municipal elec* tions last April, in Gisborne, one of our members (Mrs Walker) stood for the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Though there were seven contestants (all strong men and popular citizens) for the four Borough seats, the lady polled well, coming fifth on the list, less than 100 votes behind Dr. Porter, who since has had to resign his seat owing to his departure for the Old Country. The Borough Council, which in the event of a vacancy occurring, has the power to appoint another member to the Board, at their first meeting after the vacancy was declared, by a majority of one appointed Mrs Walker. However, at the end of this meeting a notice of motion to rescind this appointment was \ bled by a Councillor, who is a strong opponent of women being on these Boards. At the next meeting of the Council, the Mayor being absent from the district, the notice of motion was withdrawn in favour of another that the matter should be left over till his return, when the Council was evenly divided on the matter, and both sides standing firm, the Mayor gave his casting vote in favour of his own election to the Board. A notice of motion to rescind this was, however, tabled by Mrs Walker’s supporters, who deserve our best thanks for the strong stand they are raking in the woman’s cause, the seat having be< **. offered to each one of them if th would accept nominat’on. This, however, they have ali declined to clo, though some of th *m were tempted to do so in the interests of the Friendly Societies for whom they lid not wish to lose* the seat, but they are supporting the principle of women representation on these bodies, and also consider that the people’s vote should not be set aside unless there is any very good reason to the contrary. An interesting incident in connection with the contest took place at the las* meeting of the Council, when 16 W.C.T.U. ladies, with their W.R. badges much in evidence, invaded the Council Chambers, and occupying the front row of the chairs placed for the pubic, sat patient and attentive listeners through the somewhat lengthy proceedings, the notice of motion having

been placed at the very bottom of the order paper. Further developmnets are being awaited with interest.