WOMEN AND POLITICS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20024, 4 September 1930, Page 13

WOMEN AND POLITICS.

TO THB EOITOB OF THE . FBESS. Sir,—May I crave*a little space to say a few (Words to the women who are lamenting the they, have done 'nothing since _the-franchise:was grant-' : edto' themt I think' it is' a little; worse" thany that. We not * represented" nearly so well at Wellington Bince' that' event happened. One; .reason; T is; that in many peases the women's vote has, but duplicated "the men's. Many :will ; not take the trouble to. think ;for them-selves,-and many have no time to give attention to politics. -.ls;would ), suggest that the Wjomen-of Christchufch meet.' together and form; a Women's Indepen-. dent Political League, representative of all Parties. Party government is responsible for the muddle at Wellington at present. ~ We can place no- con--fidence in a candidate unless he enters-. Parliament unfettered by Party -calls.: The -Piarty; banner assists the inefficient; . to enter the House,. who never would be. elected if : forced to stand 1 alone. We want nodumb driven cattle/but* heroes' for the strife. We..-'- have 'many women amongst us, who are. competent ;to educate, the women by placing theneeds of the before? them. I : would suggest that they hold meetings to suit the attendance of women'in. City ; : and suburbs. - We might also have a column in- the Press, for the benefit of those who could not attend meetings. If women-, once move in a body, obstacles will vanish like snow before-the. sun. The. Women's Branch of the Citizens' Association is not a representative body.; We must have every woman available, and allow freedom of opinion to all pro-: vided they are willing to vote only for '. the Independent candidates.'' We - have v leaders in our City who -have- aiwayatf been willingVto'give" their 'time? for?the welfare of the Dominion,-;-and is ;the time .to; act before worse' happens. Time enough.to talkabput:women candidates when they have shown thjat they know an efficient candidate from an. in-

efficient. If we send poor'/knights to ;do battle for us, we should-rinJt. be rsntprised if they fall'in the strife.; "We . had. an Independent in the; Hbusei at one time . . .who made'his,. influence;* felt 1 from Auckland .to Bluff. 'A ■ man.who cannot minage. a. business, of :hisv«wa ' 'should'never be selected' to manage 1 the affairs of the Dominion. Our/intuitive faculties enable-us to jjee the results of measures.' What woman- would b&.-re-. sponsible;for Bills such as the Bent Bestriction Bill,; for the.! regulations gov- . erning t the-.subdivision - of- landf; No ■more Committee.meetings! :Oompel>members of Parliament ; and' Councillors, to place all l business onrthe' table, tle them . before* the Tepbrtersj;,i£; it should take a year to do so.' If'the leaders will arise, we could educate'the world, and' carry ■*" all-*"with us. Women can -. rule - without - leaving 'i. the - home; where ; they will! alwayskeign as queens, . if they hold fastrthegifts: the,-Creator has ; endowed * them r with. Procrastination is 'the destruction -1 of the race.— •Tours/ etc:, - ' _ , ABM, ABM, .YE BBAVB. ' September'3rd," ls3ol-.; $