WHERE WOMEN LEGISLATE.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13005, 6 January 1908, Page 6

WHERE WOMEN LEGISLATE.

It might be urged with some show of reason that, as "tho hand that rocks " tho cradle is the hand that rules the "world," women must be regarded as the moving spirits in all legislation, even if they are not actually occupied in the technical business of framing and passing laws. The fact that the politician's is ono of the few careers not open to women certainly does not prevent them, whether they have votes or not, from exorting a very considerable influence on the domestio legislation of a country. In view, however, of the movement in New Zealand and elsewhere in favour of women being enabled to sit in Parliament, it is of interest to note what has followed tho admission of women to the Legislnturo in Finland. Tho Finnish Diet, which was elected after the new Constitution was granted by tho Czar, closed its first session somo two months ago. It is claimed by the Helsingfors correspondent of "Tho Times" to be "tho only legislative " assembly in Europe, and probably in "tho whole world, based on what may " bo rightly described as universal " adult suffrage, since . . . practi"cally everybody who has attained his " or her twenty-fourth year has a vote, " and stands a chance of being return"od, so long as ho or sho is not a " pauper in permanent receipt of poor "relief." The Diet consists of 200 members, and of the sixty-three female candidates who camo forward, nineteen were elected, by tho somewhat complicated system of proportional voting that was adopted. Eighty of tho seats are held by Social-Democrats, of whom nine aro women, but it seems that tho strength of this party is duo more to an artificially-fostered class hatred than to any great spread of Socialist doctrines in Finland, whero many of tho electors and a largo proportion of the candidates havo only faint, crude ideas as to the meaning of Socialism. Such as it is, however, tho Socialism of this party, together with tho influence exercised by the female representatives and their supporters, was" responsible for the passing of the ono important measure that resulted from the profuso platform promises of social reform. This was a measure imposing upon tho country the most complete prohibition of the sale, manufacture, and consumption of alooholio liquor. A State monopoly is set up as far as spirits used for medical or technical purposes are concerned; otherwise the ban lies on every ooul in Finland except tho Russian troops stationed in tho country. " No ono Is allowed to keep " alcoholic drinks in his house, unless ' he can prove that he came Into " possession of them boforo the law " comes into force. Tho law authorises " the police and various other officials " to enter any house, on reasonable " grounds of suspicion, and search it "for spirits, wine, or beer. Carrying " alooholio matter involves tho forfeit- " ure of the vehicle, with horse and "harness; similarly a Vessel, the principal cargo of which consists of nlco- " holic drink, will be seized." Even the use of wine in tho Sacrament is rendered illegal. There is no provision in the law for compensation for tlio loss of licenses, and of the capital and goodwill represented by breweries and distilleries, etc., though apparently there _, somo possibility of future legislation on this point. Opponents of the Bill pointed out that its enforcement would inevitably lead to the revival of smuggling, and that it would give unduly inquisitorial powers to the police. But one of the women" members urged that it was timo " to leave reason aside and

"let sentiment prevail," and in this spirit the Bill became law, it* active advocates being assisted by a number of members who wished to please a section of their constifuents. and believed they could do so safely, because the Czar would in all likelihood veto tho measure. It is almost a pity if he does, for it would have been interesting to watch the experience of Finland under a law that had not tho support of the nation as a whole, and that, in tho words of "The Times" correspondent, exhibited that disregard for individual liberty so characteristic of extreme Socialist tenets.