WOMEN IN INDUSTRY AND PUBLIC LIFE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 207, 30 August 1916, Page 8

WOMEN IN INDUSTRY AND PUBLIC LIFE.

Miss Gladys Bamford, of-Wangaehu, who has been engaged in collecting funds on the trains between Palmerston and Wanganui, for patriotic purposes, has succeeded in raising the amount of £500 to date. Miss Bamford has completed a full year at this work. An interesting "At Home" was held in Wellington on the 16th inst., to cele- ■ brate the 83rd birthday of Mrs. Rowee, the president of the local branch of the W.C.T.U. Beautiful floral tributes were presented to the guest on behalf of the Wellington, Lower Hutt, and Petone Unions, and a lovely birthday ' cake made and presented by Mrs. McMahon, a lady now in her eighty-fourth year. Miss Kirk, a life-long friend of "Mrs. Rowse, ably presided over the gathering. Vocal • and .instrumental items were contributed, and afternoon tea was dispensed by the ladies of the Petone AV.C.T.U. The . Women's Freedom League, founded by Mrs. Despard, has been busy with the evils of child labour in wartime, and the need to clear the market of it as far as possible before the reconstruction after the war. Miss Nina Boyle (says "Jus Suffragii") also spoke at the Local Government Board ion the status of the denationalised wives of aliens. She said Herr Liebknecht was protesting in the same way regarding " treatment of Germanhorn- wives of British prisoners in Germany. "British and Germans," she said, "alike turn and hit at • the helpless woman, while keeping 'their own right to outland -marriage." An interesting-development in connection with the Labour movement in Australia, which is spoken, of by some as' an example and by otners as a warning to the world at large, is the assertion by the women in the movement of their right to . greater influence and authority, especially .in regard to matters affecting their own sex. Their claim that they have helpei very largely to make the movement the big thing it is now must be acknowledged as just, j There has just been .initiated in New 'South Wales a Women's ,«rand Labour Council. The energetic leaders in this I interesting development say in cxplanai tion_ that after - years of labour and sacrifice devoted.to bringing the Labour movement into place and power all their special claims have been either repudiated or overshadowed by the advancement of Labour men alone. As one of their leaders tersely summarises it, the position is that "the willing horse has been worked so hard that at last it must kick." From what one knows of the calibre of the women's leaders in this matter the male Labourites^ -will have outside, of them an organisation of women at least as earnest and intelligent as the males who have hitherto thought only of using the zealous and untiring : women for their own benefit. Special committees of the AVomen's Grand Council are dealing with the following subjects, which indicate the fundamental scope of the new J>pdy. Health, education, cost of Hiving, agricultural occupations, laws relating .to women,, municipal, industrial, I and political.-Steps are now being taken for- the .extension of .the movement ,in ' all > the. other - States, and. before long j Labour and other ...politicians may have to reckon with i a' strong, and probably «ry pereMtentj, new. forcej " ~