THE WOMAN'S MOVEMENT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 192, 18 September 1914, Page 4

THE WOMAN'S MOVEMENT.

AN INTERESTING PAPER.

An interesting paper on the woman's movement was read by Miss Roberts during the W.C.T.U. Convention which has just closed. This was compiled from the book "The Feminist Movement," by Ethel Snowdon. To quote from the paper: "No subject is more absorbing in its interest and none greater in its objects. It has for its purpose the enrichment of life by the development of love; and neither ignorance nor vico, self-seekers nor politicians, will be able to stay the onward march of womanhood for the full and complete recognition of its humanity. The woman's movement does not seek for freedom frovn the cares and obligations of woman's special and particular work as a woman, nor freedom from the glorious responsibilities of motherhood —the greatest profession in the world, the bearing and rearing of the race. It seeks for freedour for women in the exercise of those gifts and in the use of those qualities of soul and mind which at present are } being repressed, or wasted, for lack of I opportunity. In some countries move has been achieved for women 's freedom than in others. In Oriental landsthe woman still moves secluded and veiled, the most pitiful figure of modern times. In Latin countries less has been won for women than in the Germanic'

countries. The greatest liberty achieved for women has been in the United States of America and the British Colonies. The woman's movement shares, with other great vital movements based on principle, the greatness and dignity of being a world-wide movement. There is no portion of the. globe into which it has not penetrated. ... It ought to comfort and console those who fear the coming of the free woman that no tragedy has followed the granting of partial' freedom to women. Those who flight against our hosts to-day will be the loudest in praising the -women tomorrow for the use they will, make of opportunities now denied to them. . . . The great woman's movement is comparatively modern, for though individual women with advanced ideas have appeared in every country in every age, though the 'blue stockings' of the 18th century were the immediate pioneers of women in literature, and the antislavery women workers in the United

States led the Avay into fields of social ami political service hitherto undreamed of by women, yet the banding ! together of the masses of women of | every race, colour and tongue, of every 1 age and condition, for the securing of equal rights with men is essentially a modern bers of the woman's movement not only desire voting power, but also desire to see women made eligible to become members of Parliament; some stand for the right of women to qualify for, and enter, all the learned professions, including the law and church. Some advance equal pay for equal work. While some believe in all, some would draw the line at all. but their own particular object. There is, however, little difference of opinion amongst women to-day concerning the justice of provide ing an educational ladder for men and women, with its lowest rung in the elementary schools and its top one in the universities. Nor yet about the right of women to win and wear the honours that are open to men, of the universities.' Neither is there much difference of opinion, amongst Avomen at least, about the pressing necessity for the establishment of one code of morality for men and women alike. . . . One would like to give time to a review of the woman's movement in all parts of

the world, but only a passing glimpse can be afforded. (A is given here of the progress.made by the movement in China, in Japan, in Bulgaria, Servia, Eumania, Galieia, Kussia, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Norway, .Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, America, and other lands.) To-day the universities of London, Wales, Liverpool, St. Andrews, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, and Dublin —all the great: eentres of learning, except (to theft- disgrace, be it said), Oxford and Cambridge, have granted equality to women and men in the matter of taking degrees. Women have still to gain the, right to enter theological colleges to receive special training for the ministry of the Gospel. Women may study law and take the necessary examinations, but they may not be called to the bar. The profession of medicine is now open to them, but the story of the forcing open of the door is one which, for its cruelties, would seem incredible were not similar cruelties being practised against women; reformers of the present day. . „. . The i splendid success of the franchise and ! temperance movement in the United j States has not been touched on, but there women are marching on to victory. The whole subject of woman 'a effort —especially British ' women's ef-

fort —to attain full and complete recogr nitibn of her rights as a human being; and citizen, is full of fascination, and when we read of .the immense- success which has attended those, efforts, our hearts are filled with rejoicing and thankfulness. Great as has been the heroism of our countrymen, both in the present and the past, in the realms 6f social reform or on the field of battle,, it has been fully equalled by the heroism, the unfaltering courage, thg devotion '; self-sacrifice of the, women, who, have, and are, battling lor freedom and righteousness."