WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22429, 16 June 1938, Page 9

WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir, —I have to thank Miss M. G. Davies for her letter, which appears in your issue of to-day. in reply to my letter which appeared in your issue of June 8. I am sorry if I have given Miss Davies a wrong impression of my attitude toward women, for I am one of those who deeply appreciate the great work that is being carried on by women engaged in all branches of service in and for the jplift of mankind. For the most part my reference to the widow concerned the graver issues that woman would be called upon to face if the njantle of responsibility fell upon her. I do not agree with Miss Davies in her statement that the reason the majority of politicians do not want women in Parliament is that it is natural for woman always to consider the future of the race. On this point I would prefer to believe that man in his wisdom would feel it unchivalrous of his sex to expect women to stand up to the physical strain she would be subjected to if she were confronted with the tactics employed by man against man in his endeavour to iet his own way. Man, true to type, is a generous creature. Nature has decreed that he shall produce of his kind, and in the great process of life woman is so fashioned that she is called upon to pay the bigger price. But she gets her reward. If her mental outlook corresponds with her physical make-up in all-round health, the gift of life may be given her to nurture in true womanly spirit—her greatest contribution to mankind. It is during the married state that woman leans most heavily against man—her protector. It is when she reaches the state of widowhood that she realises the significance of this responsibility. especially if she has been left with children to protect. At this stage there also comes to her the power of understanding—reflections of man’s efforts to satisfy her wants. Woman could help society much if she could refrain from making life too' difficult for man, who in order to play the game as he sees it. outstretches his hand. ' But the widow now stands four souare to all the winds that blow. She would be a poor specimen if she failed to appreciate the intellectual capacity of her kind, whether married or unmarried. and to thank God for their creation. No. The issue of parliamentary service for women will be decided by the men and woman of this country, and in all humility they who offer must stand by that great decision.— Yours, etc., ’ GLADYS C. M. URU. June 14, 1938. TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir,—The letter in “The Press” this morning by M. G. Davies is extremely thought-provoking. Woman was created to carry out her duty in increasing the race, but did not an all-seeing Providencp invest her with a brain also? Would a man agree to taking on the whole responsibility of the family, i.e., balancing the budget, training the children, etc.? Then why a country? Woman has the divine_ gift of intuition: she sees afar and will step tactfully where angels fear to tread. I do' not see that whether a woman has borne children has anything to do with it. We want a woman in Parliament who has a keen brain*and is possessed of a wide understanding and endless sympathies. We must find her. then support her for all we are worth. —Yours, etc., INTERESTED. • June 15, 1938.