The Scheme of Things By M.H.C.

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 36, 12 February 1938, Page 19

The Scheme of Things By M.H.C.

-' It is impossible not to feel sorry for jffnternationally-minded women who /have worked so hard at Geneva and lother places as delegates from various countries (not New Zealand) when a nummary is read of the efforts made towards a settlement of the nationality Of British women who have married .aliens. Mrs. Linda Littlejohn, a very ■well-known woman in the world of women workers, tells the story well in 'the last issue of "Dawn." She recalls the little group of women from various who went to. Geneva in 1926 to try to interest the League of Nations in an "Equal Rights League," and found tyery little encouragement. It was not

iptntil 1935, after much spadework and organising, that the women sueGfceeded in even getting the Status of r.Women .placed on the agenda of the I Assembly. Women from all over the ;)'world went to ' Geneva that year, f'lobbied, interviewed delegates, and ex- ':• plained their views and those ;of 1 jnillions of other women, giving full ■explanation of injustices to their sex 'which arose in all directions from the nationality laws, and asked ;Sor amendment. The Assembly divided ' v the civil and political rights into two vparts, unfortunately, and nothing was done. Two years passed—of work and effort—and the matter was brought again before the Eighteenth Assembly. In the meantime reports had been sent in by 38 countries, and from organisations in 45, asking for relief. The same efforts were made again, and it shows ■ that women are the most peace-loving pf all creation, for they kept their '■tempers and put up with a good deal

■ that was not only discouraging but i unpleasant! ' Mrs. Littlejohn considers that their ; work was not altogether in vain, for ! practically all countries felt that the principle of equality of rights was ; almost universally acknowledged as an : "ideal," though it is not applied in practice. Two mornings were given up to discussion, which was a great ad- [ vance on the way the subject had been ! treated by much earlier conferences. A ' summary of eleven points was presented by Madame Hessilgren, of Sweden, in a very comprehensive and able document. Clause 2 stated that "the trend is for law to develop in the direction of equality between the sexes." The passing of this clause is pronounced as a real step in the right direction, as so many countries were represented at the Assembly. The League appointed a committee ■•of experts comprising both men and women, who will plan the scope of a thorough inquiry into the position of women under the laws of their various countries. This work may be delegated to scientific law institutes, and women's international organisations have been invited to cooperate. This data will, it is stated, take two or three years to collect, and the information will be printed. Then, hope the women, a further step will be taken, and an International Convention or Treaty will be drawn up to be pre- . sented to the State members of the League. One point appears plain, no country whose laws are flagrantly unequal can sign. It is hoped that all women interested will still work for the amendment of laws in their own country, and this will simplify things at Geneva when the time comes. Mrs. Littlejohn, like many others, feels that women have a very special contribution to make to the world's work, and "they only ask for the opportunity." "This," she declares, "can , only come through equality of status, civic, political, and economic." Coming nearer home, the Women's Non-Party Association of Australia has had its discouragements. It is a large association, and contains a number of women who are well-educated, thinking people. They felt a definite and deeply, rooted objection to the Five-Year Parliament Bill, and circularised the members of the State Parliament against it. They state that the electors had not given due consideration to the Bill, and consider that no Parliament is justified in altering the Constitution and extending its privileges without a direct mandate from the people. They hold that such a Bill is unnecessary and unwarranted. They offered the suggestion that a referendum be taken before the Bill was brought forward.' A number of other women's associa- ■ tions joined with the non-political women, and their circular said: "We believe that a five-year Parliament will remove Parliamentary life too far from the developing youth of the community. Also that it will tend to increase the apathy of the voters— already a menace to democracy—by keeping them still further out of touch wtih the vital problems of the day to the lasting detriment of ■ democratic government." However, the measure passed through both Houses of Parliament, and has since become law. Therefore once again in the history of the world have "the voices crying in the wilderness" been unheeded, and the results are yet to be seen. Then a Library Bill was submitted, one in which the women took a lively interest, as it provided a more modern library system and a more liberal sup-

ply of books specially calculated for young people, and books that are sometimes expensive, which could be placed within their reach to their lasting benefit in the way of further education. However, there was so much opposition to this Bill in the House of Assembly that the Government, not wishing to risk defeat, let it lapse. Still another disappointment. Then the women's societies all combined in support of a Milk Bill and again circularised members explaining their really expert ideas on this household subject. This passed the Lower House by a small majority, but was defeated in the Legislative Council. The women are now trying very earnestly to have some investigation made of the cause of deaths of women in childbirth, and a Bill has been prepared, but it contains the words "if they consider the same is necessary" in regard to such investigations, so the women are not very hopeful of much good result. These things are all very interesting, and if record is kept of them it would be wonderful to come back in a hundred years or so, and find how much has-been accomplished by patient persistence, by real care for the good of humanity, and by constitutional efforts. It is to be hoped that it will not be necessary for another world disaster such as war to come to pass for women to succeed in their efforts at reform as did the suffragettes. It is impossible to guess what would have happened if all their distressing efforts had not