SEX EQUALITY.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3146, 4 December 1922, Page 2

SEX EQUALITY.

(By Pilgrim, in the Daily Chronicle). Emerson said that the Englishman was a practical animal, and he was right. We prefer facts to theories. Besides, we arc uncertain and suspicious about theories. They elude ns, and the search is, troublesome. But facts, as we say, are facts, and. 1 we are content to act accordingly. Meanwhile, we indulge a secret liking for theories by inventing catch-words to express them. Among a glittering selection of catch-words in vogue just now, “sex equality” stands high in public- estimation. Journals are devoted to its promulgation, like new hihles with a fresh gospel. Tine platform folk spread wide the tale. We are all talking about it. and nobodv believes in it.

This is a hard saying, but numerous instances in recent years attest its truth. AVo passed a special Act of Parliament to apply the ingenious idea. The idea remains, but its application is held up. We are a practical people. We glorify the fact and shame all theories. To-day, wo shall watch an interesting new chapter in this practical story of ours.-The General Council of Trade Unions meets this afternoon to elect a chairman for the year. The practice is to put in that position the senior member of the Council. The senior member happens to he a woman, Miss Margaret Bondfield. Which is to prevail. the fact or the theory? Here, again, emerges another notable fact in our practicality as a people. We never adopt a theory until it becomes merged in a fact. When a. theory ceases merely to illustrate a fact in argument and expands into a fact of experience, like the practical folk we are. we adopt the theory, since it has become a fact. For instance, we turn smilingly to Portia as she advances towards the court. That is because she illustrates the theory of sex equality, which is difficult (if not Impossible) to refute, and, therefore, to be accepted—as a theory. But we shall never believe in Portia until she “makes good.” That is, wo shall act upon sox equality in the legal profes- , sion when it ceases to he a mere theory _v and becomes embodied in a fact, the fact of Portia proving her worth, not qs a woman, but as a lawyer. Now, the choice before the General Council of the Trade Unions is so poised as to provide an admirable incident in our approved history of merging theories into facts. Miss Margaret Bondfield is the best sort of woman to illustrate the process. 1 have met the lady occasionally, and no woman in my experience created a more robust impression. In appearance sho is small and attractive, with a clever eye of unusual steadiness. In fact, she is a remarkable instance of a cool, self-pos-sessed, capable, and experienced man of affairs. That is, as a person who is equal to her opportunity, which she fills with masterly good sense, she is what we like —a fact which has ceased to illustrate a theory.

Wherefore, gentles- all, let us rejoice in the occasion, and trust that the trade union leaders will recognise it. For wo have to hand a woman who is a man of affairs of proved worth. We could not wish for a better chance of grafting a popular theory on to a public fact.