A LADY M.P.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 21, 25 January 1913, Page 19

A LADY M.P.

i— ' '■'■■ WOMEN IN THE FINNISH PARLIAMENT. Dr. Thekla Hultin. one of thfe 14 women who sit ih the Finnish Diet, was the gutjst of the Ahglb-Finnish Society at an "At Homo" in the society's Londoii rooms last monthi Df. Hultitt is tho woman in Finland upon whom the high degree, of Doctor of Philosophy wwars r conferred, but there are now many others of her sex who have qualified lot i:no distinction, She was elected to the Parliament of Fitlahd in 1908, but was not tho first woman to take a (seat there. , 1 "I am simply ttalazed," said Dr. Hultin to a Daily Chronicle representative, "that Englishwomen still- have to struggle for recognition in citizenship; for just tho broad basis of citizenship of Which the vote is the object. In Finlahd women have had the vote since 1905, and they exercised t the franchise in 1900. There is no liftiit 'to the number o£ Women who may sit in Parliament. ''When the men of Finland gained full clti«enshl£, they ihSistdl th&t the women, who had stood by them in, ttmos of political difficulty and danger, should share their privileges, and not a aoico was raised against their eligibility as Parliamentary representatives. Dr. Hultin explained that during the last four Parliamentary elections S3 to 60 per cent, of the women voted, and that she considered a satisfactory proportion wh6n it was remembered that distahees are groat S.nd communication often difficult m a country of great lakes and for* ests. The proportion of men voters is between 65 and 70. "And I may say that, notwithstanding strange iddas held by .others about Fihland s wom&h Members of Parliament, they are not chosen for their appearance, or the fit of their dress, but for other qualities. They utb treated as comrades by the men. 'Wo do not ask fot chivalry from men Members, but we appreciate the confidence they place ill us." The women Members of the Finnish Parliament wotk with their own patties, and have net formed a wetnati'3 party on their own account. Membei's atxs paid, and if they absent themselves without special leave of absence they lose their payment, and are, In addition, fined 15% a Ufty. "I may say." addled Dr. Hultin, with a humorous twinkle In hef eyo, "that the 1 women attend tfea sittings mor6 regularly than the meh. TKp women Members havo endeavoured to bring about impi'oyoniohts in women's position, especially in its legal and economic aspect. Bills introduced by women have been concerned with the raising of tho age of consent, aecurihg equality of tho Wife with tho husband in the control of tho ehildreh, motherhood insurance, the tight of womeii to enter the legal profession, tthd so forth. •