WOMEN AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 8991, 2 January 1895, Page 4

WOMEN AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

A conference convened and presided over \' by the Earl of Meath was held on Novetn- "■> bor 2nd in London "to arouse public in. ** terest in local Government, and to induce - I tho best men and womeu to offer themselves for-eloction." Princes-. Christian was atnonn those present. A number of letters were read. Mr A. J. Balfour and fdr H. B Fowler wrote expreaaihg their sympathy, ' On benalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury, his chaplain wrote :— " His Grace feels most strongly how importaut it ia that the power which is to be conferred should be placed in the hauda of " those who are iv every way best fitted to use it for the good of the people. None are better qualified than qualified women and to this end he trusts that the conference summoned by your lordship may be ' most successful."

The following letter from Cardial Vaughao was read:—

"1 am sure you will be renderiug service ~ by calling attention to the work that may " ha done by women on Boards of Guardiaui " District Councils, and School Boards, i hope a high standard of qualifications will be put forward and adopted. As to numbers, it has always seemed to mc a di«. advantage to have only one woman on a Board, just as I should think ib a disadvan- - tage, for other reasons, to have many serving on the same Board." Professor T. Huxley wrote from East- - bourne :—

"On the general question of engagina women in administrative duties, lam quite on your side. They want education in this direction more than any other. The beet of women are apt to be a little weak in the' great practical arts of give and take and patting up with a beatiug, and a little toe strong in their belief in the efficacy of government. Men learn about these things in the course of their ordiuary busiuese* women have no chance in home life, and the Boards and Couucils will be capita] eolioola for them. Again, in the publl? interest, it will be well. Women are more naturally eoonomicai thau men, and have none of our false shame about looking after pence. Moreover, they don'fc job for aay but their lovers, husbands and children, so that we know the worst."

The Countess of Jersey was present od November sth at a meeting held to celebrate the opeuing of a Club for working women in North Lambeth, aud delivered an address, in which she urged that women ought to be in a position to give their opinion upon legislation which would seriously alfeot their position or employ' ment, as also upon such questions aa that ol the eduoation of their children.