Storyteller.

White Ribbon, Volume 25, Issue 295, 19 January 1920, Page 11

Storyteller.

COMRADES EVER.

CHAPTER \

Swiftly the pacing months brought (.ip>\ Low is to the opening day of Parliament. She had not passed the interval in idleness. Like most of the leaders in Social Keform she had frit keenly then failuie to se<me Na tional Prohibition. But she belong ,d to the victorious White Ribbon Army, which never accepts defeat, and knew surely, by Faith's intuition, that though another battle in the long campaign had gone against them, yet in the end success was sure. I heii \nnual Convention met in the Km pile Cit\, and as the time of defeat is iust the time to increase your el Imts they planned a vigorous cam p.agn. Mrs Lewis had spent her time going round their various branches, urging and inspiring them to prepare fot their long struggle. Three years of preparation they had, they could n.*t afford to waste a minute of it, therefore let them get busv at once. Now the fateful da\ had arrived, and die stood in the Legislative Hall of her Fatherland, and took the oath to loyally serve her King and Country. Ihe Prime Minister spoke kind and «"urte<His words of welcome, and sev cral members expressed pleasure at gleeting their first woman M l*. The m,limit) of members snowed a kindly <h'dn» to make her feel at home in her new sphere, hut well she knew that some of the old school bitterly resented the intrusion of her sex into politics. In a few dignified words, very nei vouslv spoken, she thanked the Premier and her fellow members for their kindly welcome, and expressed the wish that they might find her so useful in the House that they would at next election secure the return of

more women members For the first few weeks, Mrs I «wi> listened, watched and learned. Her quit k brain and ready observation enabled her in a comparatively short time to master the rules, regulations and forms of etiquette observed by members and Speaker. She was a member of one Parliamentary Coni nutter, and there won golden opinions from the male members, because she never spoke unless she had something to sav, and then expressed herself with brevity and clearness. Kvents moved rapidly in the political world. The majority of the Reform Party was too

slendci to give stability to their <»ov ernment, also lhe> were without capable men for several portfolios. Ihe l iberals were disorganised owing to the defeat of their leader, who, being rejected be his own constituency, had lerired from the hurly burly of politics to the aristocratic seclusion of the I)o

minion s representative at the capital of the Empire. The Labour Party, returned with inc leased strength, wete well organised, extremely active and aggressive, and had one cm two men who were well qualified to act as Min isters of the Crown

Mr Morton had absorbed many progressive ideas from the statesmen with whom he had sat around the* Board at the great Peace Conference. More over, he did most earnest!) desire to do his verv best for tHi* country dm mg tin* period of reconstruction. lie therefore urged upon the Cabinet that the) allow him to try for a modified coalition government. He pointed out the need fot capable and expert men at the head of everv department, irrespective of part\ shibboleths; that the time was lipe for a forward move ment in the direction of an Elective Executive, which was fast coming within the region of practical politics, lie proposed to bring in three Minis teis fiom outside their own ranks, thus leaving them a strong niajorit) in the* Cabinet.

The debate was b»ng, and at times ac rimonious. Even his old friend and colleague, Sii Walter Ross, opposed him bitterly. and demanded w hom he I roposed to bring into the Cabinet. “Well,” said Mr Morton, “1 pro p«»s«> to offer the’ portfolios of Health and Education *0 our lad\ member. I have watt led her closely; she has a quick brain, a ready grasp of all questions, a great willingness to learn, and. moreover, is an admitted expert on the cpiestion of Fducation. We are often told that the health and c'bi cation of the rising generation is the work of women.

f think you are in your dotage,' hastily interrupted Sit Walter. “A woman in the Cabinet!"

“Yes, m\ old friend, a woman in Cabinet. Both in England and America women have been put in responsible |>ositions, and have proved themselves quite as capable as men ; some politicians say more so. And l firmly believe that Mr? Lewis will d«» as good work as any man we could put into the position.”

“And I presume Mr Dutch (11am mg .» famous Laboui agitator) “will be Minister of Labour.”

“Well, not exactly,” smiled the I’m* mier. “I thought of Mr Ford 1< • that portfolio. ITc is sensible and modest, and has the* confidence ot the great bodv of workers.

“It might have been woise, admit ted Sir Walter. “And who’s the third addition?”

“Mr (ieorge as Minister of Railways lb* is a Liberal labourite, and be knows our railway system from A to Z. And I’m sure,” said Mi Morton, looking around the* circle, “that you’ll all admit that this branch of the sri vice* is m great need of improvement.”

After much discussion, both Cabinet and Caucus agreed to gi\e Lien Leadci a free hand, and the* minority I rornised a loyal support to the three “yyhile they behave themselves," one stalwart grunted out. Next afternoon Mr Morton stopped Mis Lewis as she* was leaving the Chamber, and with his winning smile*, said, “Will you all<*y\ me the pleasure of taking you for a cup of tea?” Wondering much, (tipsy folloyyed the Leader of the House to his private room. While the attendant prepared the tea table. Mr Morton looked at his visitor, and marvelled that this \y> man, whose brain and ability equalled that of any of his male supporters, and exceeded most of them, vet in her simple, well cut gown, relieved with pale silk collar, looked the ideal of wife* and mother. Her husband had loved and trusted her, her c hildren adored her, and now in her yyidcr spheie, the same kindly courtesy and comradeship \yas making her populai in the* House. With the intellect to grasp the statesman s j<|<.;ds, she* bad the mother heart to feel for all, to work for all.

At length Mr .Motton broke the silc*nc e with . ‘Mrs T.exyis, I have heard you say that woman's point of view should be heard in the House; I want )our point of vieyy on tlu* question of party polities. Would you step over party lines to be of use to your country ?”

“I don’t quite understand you What e|o you \yish me to do?”

“To speak plainly, would you bet willing to take* the* jxirtfolios of Health and Education under mv leadership? You have specially studied these subjects, and I feel convinced would make a capable and efficient Minister.”

(iipsy \v;ts too absolutely astonished to speak. At length she gasped, “Mr Morton, I am very new to the work ; my heart is certainly in it, hut I fear 1 am sadly lacking in tee hnical knowledge.” “Perhaps so,’’ he replied, “though I am by no means sure of that. This is it period of reconstruction, and I want to reconstruct my Cabinet on broader lines. Old customs must give way to the needs of this time. As Minister of Health and Kducation you will have laigely in your hands the litre of the rising generation, and that, you will agree with me, is woman's work. Inexperienced in the administrative details you are, but the Chief Health Officer and the Commissioner of Kducation are there to ad vise and instruct you in any way you require.” “But, Mr'Morton, I fear I am too much of a Radical to enlist under so conservative a banner as yours.” “Kindly note that 1 bear a Reform banner. You desire reforms, so do I. I shall not make too severe de mands upon your loyalty.” “I am neither politician nor party woman, but I must be straight with you. You know my views on the l iquor Trade, upon Prison and Kdu rational Refoims. I can not be false to my principles. Can Ibe true to t hem and to you ?’ “I think s>. Non have practically a free hand in vour own department, except that Cabinet must he consulted before .iny -weeping change is made. In other matters 1 promise never to ask you to vote against your conscience. Trv it, Mrs Lewis; treat me with cand >ur, ns 1 know you will, and we shall get on." “I should like t<» consult one nr two of my leading supporters, and if these gentlemen think 1 can do this and he true to my election promises, 1 wi trv it,” .

Mrs Lewis wen at on»e to her old friend and e bairn an, Mr (Irant, and laid the politic n before him. He' agreed to talk it over with he*i old committee, and let her know the re> suit. After consultant n, he again sought her with the judgment of her supporters. “You went in, he said, “pledged to principles, not ro party. The old Liberal Parly is dead We believe 1 in you, believe that you will he true to vour pledge. We would not like to take the responsibility of depriving the* Dominion of so capable a Ministei of these departments as you will make.” A Coalition (lovnnmcnt t\a> the <■ fore formed, and for the* first time' un der normal v ircumst into, portfolios we'ic give'n to thicc memhe'is, not be* cause they obeyed the* crack of the* party whip, but because they were* e'.tc h experts in the departments th«*\ were to he the- Ministerial heads e>f Mrs Lewis took a hurried trip to Dunedin to consult with her son. Will heartily approved ot his mother's new dignity. “Mum, veiu’ve* lx*atrn me. Here have* I been grinding for years exams, and now at oi e* bound you land at the* top of the* Health Depart mrnt, and no ev.im. icquired Poli ties for me, every time, and he laughed gaily. “Hurry up, niv son, and become* a fully qualified Ml)., and then I r • have* the* benefit of your knowledge.” So quietly C»ipsv stepped into her new position, bringing to it the same care and attention as she gave to ail her other duties Returning home from the Hois,one evening, she found her brother and his daughter waiting to greet her “Tell me, \unfic,” said Zeta, “howdoes it feel to he a Minister of the Crown?” *

“Ii feels a pieat responsibility, am I am rinding; out fast I»<»w ignorant I am.” Hei brother smiled “Most politi < ians feel capable of tunning the uni verse. You must be <|iiite .»n oddit\ among them.” "I’m going to do my best, Jack.’’ "You'll do all right, old girl. Why bless me, you looked after my licaltl and education, and see what a shining example of physical fitness and brail vigour I am.” And so ;n pleasant chat the evening wore away. Alone in her room that night (lipsy gazed on the pin tos of he loved ones, and murmured, “If onh you were here to help and advise me.’ Then kneeling, she committed her self and her cares to the keeping ol that Father of whom it had >een said ‘‘lie pivoth wisdom to them that asl> Him.” (To be continued.)