The Dominion SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1943. A POLITICAL GOLDEN JUBILEE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 304, 18 September 1943, Page 6

The Dominion SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1943. A POLITICAL GOLDEN JUBILEE

By an interesting coincidence the celebration of the golden jubilee of women’s franchise in New Zealand occurs at the height of the General Election campaign. The anniversary falls tomorrow, September 19, and electorate committees have been asked by their central executives to invite all Parliamentary candidates to attend united women’s meetings, and to state what support they are prepared to accord the various resolutions that have been issued as part of the celebrations. The time has long gone past when members, of Parliament and election candidates could afford to treat the political views and aspirations of women in a somewhat cavalier spirit. Although in earlier years of their new political status as electors women’s organizations were very few in number, these have since multiplied as women’s interests in public questions became keener, and it is a fact beyond any question that they are today a potent element in our political life. Although the women’s parliamentary franchise was granted by Statute in 1893, it was not until 1919, by the passing of the Women’s Parliamentary Rights Act, that their political privileges were extended .to eligibility to stand for Parliament. But surprisingly few have elected to exercise this new privilege, and the number that has won seats in any one Parliament has never exceeded three. Ihe reason possibly lies in the fact that women so far have preferred to express their views on public questions through their own representative organizations, depending upon their voting powers at elections to impress upon our legislators the earnestness and seriousness of their aims. There may also have been some psychological hesitancy about mixing in the rough and tumble of active political life which, if true, would seem to be now losing its force, for no fewer than ten women candidates are contesting seats in the present election, a much greater number than in any previous general election since the parliamentary privilege was granted.. This circumstance would seem to indicate a growing political consciousness on the part of women responsible as citizens in addition to their family role, and a reflection, also, of the changes that have gradually developed in their economic status as wage-earners. The most striking feature of the publicity matter issued in connexion with the jubilee celebration is the pamphlet, embodying the “Education Resolutions.” Plere the women take their stand on solid ground, for education is fundamentally associated with the home and the family. The onening resolution strikes the note of the pamphlet : “That the elucation system be revised so that it is no longer dominated by materialistic, utilitarian ideas in a competitive society, but becomes the dynamic of a co-operative society planned to foster intelligent goodwill.” The questions to be answered, in shaping the course, are ip the committee’s opinion, these two : I What ought we to aim at? What is the meaning and purpose of life? What shall we desire our children to be? 11. How can these aims, ends, or ideals, best be attained? It may be the dawn of the Women’s Franchise Diamond Jubilee before these questions, number two especially, can be satisfactorily answered. But here is a line of thought and research, for which women are peculiarly fitted, and to be commended for taking up. On the whole, the women of this country have little cause to feel dissatisfied with the results achieved through their influence upon Parliaments and Governments. Indeed they are to be congratulated that so much has been gained for the benefit of society as a whole by their efforts.