WOMEN AND.PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 8, 4 October 1919, Page 4

WOMEN AND.PARLIAMENT

. Sir—Judging by .newspaper reports, violation of privilego seems to bo tho objection raised by,the Legislative Council to the Women's Parliamentary Rights Bill Even in England recently. custom, tradition and even "privilego" gave way before national need and public opinion. Thero women havo obtained full political rights—Houso- of Lords notwithstanding. Further, women in general are just as worthy of full political rights as men an general, nnd the nation needs the women's point of view if there is to bo progress, along ■ certain - lines. . Again, as Sir William Hall-Jones pointed out, tho technical objections raised to this Bill wero not effectively used in t'ho case of previous measures which'affected "the constitution of the Council .most seriously. Therefore, women, draw the inference and; watch th« division lists closely! ■ ■ • • Finally is the Legislative Council of the country which "leads tho world" a second time to deny this measure of ]us. tica to women? .Whatever the position is legally,' morally it has no right thus to exclude women. . "But," cries the Council "our privileges!" "Yes, quite so," we retort, "but what about our "democratic country?"—l am, etc., N. E. COAD, - ' President Women's National Council, •Wellington Branch, [Our correspondent, 'W9 believe, is noedlcssly -agitated concerning tho question of privilege raiscd ; .by the Legislative Council. The matter- is merely one of procedure, nnd the difficulty-'of introducing- the proposal in the Upper Chamber should be easily oveicome. How councillors may then vote on She issue vfc do not pretend to know, but we shall be surprised if the measure does not became law this session.] :