GOLD FOR THE SUFFRAGISTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 186, 1 May 1908, Page 3

GOLD FOR THE SUFFRAGISTS.

There is no doubt whatever ithat the cause of the. suffragists in Great Britain is rapidly gaining ground in the minds of all thinking peopld. The day of the release of Mrs. Pankhurst she presided oyer the largest women's suffrage meeting over held in the history, of the: movement, and ; her occupation of the chair that would otherwise have, been vacant at the Albert Hall meeting was tho occasion of a remarkable display of enthusiasm. A most generous response was made to an appeal for money, to further tho work. A self-denial week had, resulted in a collection of £2582, and those present '.werocalled upon to add their- mites to the amount. A contribution of £1000 a year from a' lady who desired to remain anonymous was the first sensational announcement made there. Another, lady.and her husband added another £1000 to that. , Cheques, banknotes, 'and promises for £100 came in quick succession. Both' Dr. Garrett Anderson and hor daughter wore among thoso who contributed £100. Major-General Sir Alfred Turner, was another member 1 of the audience; who 1 gave largely.. "I will give £100," called out a lady in evening dress. , By leaps and. bounds the figures on the scoring-boards went up. until the magnificent total of £7000 was reached. " Hard, cash • makes more difference to the Government- than- the greatest eloquence," said Miss Christabel Pankhurst. From the arena to the topmost gallery the great hall was filled by a vast audience of women. Every seat, every, inch of standing room had been srfld. Ladies .in evening dress sat in stalls and boxes, and balconies and galleries wero thronged with a cheering multitude. ..... . . , < As the strains of tho "Marseillaise" from tho great organ died away at the opening of the proceedings Miss Christabel Pankhurst announced that "For some unknown reason, not unconnected with the Peckham contest, the Government had unexpectedly decided to release Mrs. Pankhurst, who will "take our chair to-night." •., The great, audience leaped to its feet oven as Miss Pankhurst spejke. Handkerchiefs waved from every box, from every tier, and tho cheers were deafening. The welcome was almost unnerving in its superabundant enthusiasm, and Mrs. Pankhurst, with' smiling eyes and quivering lips, waited until comparative quietude came. But,again and again throughout her speech tho gathering of women, broke forth into applause that could not be restrained.