THE SUFFRAGETTE FRENZY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 58, 7 March 1912, Page 4

THE SUFFRAGETTE FRENZY.

The Talest development of the .Franchise War at Home must hair- canoed genuine Tegrrt and dismay to a great number of people who conscientiously snpport -ihv cause of Women's Suffrage. For no matter how strongly wo may syropatluse with the desire or the demand, of "women for political rights, ft is impossible to justify the means thai the more militant section of the Suffragette party has now taken to secure sts ends. Breaking up meetings, ringing the doorhells of Cabinet Ministers, shouting " Votes tor Women!" in the (House of Commons—these might fairly be classed as legitimate expedients- by-thoseTvho-ap-plaiid sensationalism or who have convinced themselves that only in this "way can the Suffragettes secure attention for their grievances. But/personal violence>and the wilful destruction of property or« crimes for which all members- of a civilised community must answer to the Law. The raid tha-t Mrs. Pankhurst and her followers have just conducted: in the " shopping districts" of Ijomion is an outrage that no decently-constituted society can tolerate; and the deliberate attempt to set fire to the General Post Office is a heinous offence which merits condign punishment. All this is from our standpoint infinitely to be regretted, not only -because it alienates -public-eym-£>atbj ;fjpm ~the-«Qovemeut, and,-stifftnia

the opposition to the demand for a perfectly fair and equitable reform, bat because it shows bow far the SufTragetta leaders hare lost sight of the ardinaay standards of reason snd common sense. Miss Panklmnst's argument that it is fair to break tradesmen's ■windows because "no elector is innocent" has not eren the semblance of logic in its favour. For it is quite certain that many people who have suffered at the hands of Suffragettes would have, supported Women's Franclrise if they got the chance. Bat it is hopeless to «spect logic from anyone who threatens to " terrorise the whole male community " because she cannot get her own way. This sort of thing would be ludicrous if it were not also tragic. For there can be no croubt that this last ebullition of Suffragette hysteria has put back the movement a long way, by convincing many a waverrr that women of this type are not fit to be trusted with political rights, and that, in the words of tbe " Daily News," which has hitherto steadfastly supported the Suffragettes, " Government cannot longer permit society to be. disorganised by a few outlaws who have declared war on social order."