POINTS FOR POLITICIANS IN GENERAL ELECTION

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25935, 15 October 1949, Page 6

POINTS FOR POLITICIANS IN GENERAL ELECTION

WOMEN AND POLITICS

[By MRS CHARLES WALTON, famous as the aviatrix, Nancy Bird] [Reprinted by arrangement from the ~Sydney Morning Herald”) Written as a pointer to the Australian woman's outlook on the Federal General Elections to be held in December, most of the contentions of the writer of this article could be applied to the New Zealand woman's attitude to the forthcoming elections in the Dominion.

Political campaigners will be busy trying to divine wnat the woman voter wants. Quite oiten, in conversation recently, i nave been asked some such question as, “Well, what’s the woman’s angle on politics these days?” People inquire about "the woman’s angle on politics" as though it were something compact and measurable, like a handbag, which can be opened to display its contents. Nobody ever uses the term, "the man’s angle on politics"—presumably such an expression would have little meaning, for men have been concerned with politics of one kind and another for so long that their approach can be readily determined, if it is not well known. Therefore, when people want to know about the woman's angle on politics, I take it they have scented something new and uncertain in this phase of women’s development as a citizen. And because there are more women than men in Australia, both Liberal and . Labour candidates are especially keen to find out how women are likely to vote on December 10. It is easy to answer the question I have mentioned with: “Women are tired of being treated like packhorses”; “Women are disgusted at the treatment given the Chinese by the Minister for Immigration’’; “Women are resentful of high food prices,” . . .

and so on. But it is much harder to give an overall picture. I don’t know whether statistics indicate a party trend among women, but even if they do I could not feel complete confidence in them at this stage, because I believe that though many Australian women have found a new interest in politics (through such organisations as the “Australian Women’s Movement Against Socialisation,” for instance), there is still a good deal of confused thinking among them, and a tendency to be diverted from the broad national issues to the day-by-day hurly-burly which makes up the current political scene. What womenfolk need just now is more education, politically, and it behoves the right-wing parties to provide it intelligently. Then well all know a lot more about “the woman s angle on politics.” All are Domestic

As to how to give that education — well, if 1 were wondering how to point out to the average woman the evils inherent in socialisation I would first ask myself what characteristic is common to the majority of women in the Commonwealth? ' The answer and electric gadgets notwithstanding) is, I think, domesticity. The average -married woman, the average single girl, in town. city, or country, cannot escape entirely from domestic chores. Cooking, washing, ironing, mending, are common to the married woman, the career girl, the young woman who “stays at home with her parents. . What women need just now are clear statements of fact. Facts which can be quickly absorbed in their busy lives, and it behoves the political parties to provide these in an intelligent and concise manner. If I were in doubt how best to acquaint any member of the community with Ihe dangers of socialisation, I should choose the medium most appropriate to their background. With women, generally, I should attempt to

focus the principles of socialisation and the barm they can bring them on their interests domestically. Domesticity is essentially the common denominator of women in the Commonwealth, The range of mental development varies enormously throughout the entire range of feminihe society, but the background common to all is the home, the flat, the room, the family, the food, laundry, and clothes. And so I would design my publicity in presenting the case against socialism to women as it should appear to them from the domestic viewpoint. Shortage of Leisure And if a man should be directing this campaign I would remind him, firstly, that the majority of women don’t get as much leisure as men. It is harder for them than for men to view things with calm detachment because they don't “get away from it all” so often. The club, the bar, bowls, and what have ynu, make a nice break when there is no worry in your mind about getting home to put on the potatoes’ So, sir, make your case for anti-social-isation convincing and, above all 'things, sincere. Women respond’to sincere, uncomplicated argument. They distrust verbosity and are suspicious of overemphasis. And while men may accept the political opportunist as a matter of course, women will react with an instinctive distaste. Be brief in your appeals and explanations. Few women can sit down and “stew over” a long argument, however well reasoned—interruptions from the tradesmen, the children, the telephone; the necessity of pressing the frock to be worn to-morrow. All these things are part and parcel of tlje daily routine, and other interests, however vital, must fit. that routine. Women will fight for an ideal—a cause—but they’ll withdraw their support if this becomes commercialised, lor lost sight of in a sea of over-zeal-ous personalities. Resent Regimentation Women fiercely resent regimentation even though they may not all realise its fountain-head. They would welcome encouragement and guidance in controlling its effect on their daily lives. Remember this, Mr Campaign Planner, in your efforts to assist women in their arguments against socialism.

Finally, I do believe it would be better to stress “government” to women, rather than “politics.” “Politics” is a much besmirched word. It suggests backing and filling, nest-lining, broken promises, nebulous projects, mud-slinging. Too many women to-day feel a distaste for “politics” and prefer to leave them to the men. But show women that politics can make or mar their children’s future—show thorn that politics can endanger the stability of their homes. Show them that they pay for the upkeep of the Government; that they should elect candidates who will govern and not dictate; that the ballot-box is the place to exoress their opinion, and you will I think, get a much more uositive’ anti-Socialist reaction from women at the next election. In practice, it should unearth a great deal of useful information for us all about the “woman’s angle on politics.”