INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 81, 13 April 1901, Page 3

INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.

SPECIALLY COAIMENDED TO THE WOMEN OF WAIAPU.

The International Council of Women is composed of delegates from the different National Councils of the World. Thirteen countries are now affiliated to it, and democratic (?), conservative little Switzerland is also bestirring herself to do the

same. We think it is just time, seeing that the Canton of Berne has quite recently, on referendum, refused, on a large majority of exclusively male voters, to allow women to sit on school boards. The preamble to the Constitution indicates the main bond of union which unites the members of the International Council. It runs as follows :—“ We, women of all nations, sincerely believing that the best good of humanity will be advanced by greater unity of thought, sympathy, and purpose, and that an organised movement of women will best conserve the highest good of the family and of the State, do hereby band ourselves together in a confederation of workers, to further the application of the Golden Buie to society, custom, and law.” The objects of the Council are (1) To provide a means of communication between women’s organisa- | tion in all countri® ; and (2) to provide opportunities for women to meet together from all parts of the world to confer upon questions relating to the welfare of the family and the commonwealth.” Mrs May Wright Sewell—daughter of Mrs Wright—of Negro emancipation triumphs, is now President of the International. Handsome, gifted, energetic and immensely popular, her influence is sure to bo for good, and in her present position it will radiate the world over. Still the power of the International greatly depends on the loyalty, resolution and courage of its integral parts, i.e., the various affiliated National Councils. New Zealand is thus related to it. What is her National Council doing to minister to international needs, to augment its Council’s usefulness, to aid in its general ex; pansion '? Such questions are ever exorcising the minds of the N.C. Executive. It believes that at present, probably, its chief endeavour should bo to educate and win over the many women, who, even in privileged New Zealand, have hitherto cared for none of these things. We are often asked, “ Well, what is the good of it all ? What have you done ? What do you wish to do ? ” We can only reply, “ We women are not what we once wore, wc are not what we would wish to bo ; by the grace of God wo are what we are.” Wo are not what we once were; voteless, every approach either to work or education jealously guarded against us, ' disinherited by marriage both of property 1 and children, our little, almost baby, ■ children pining and dropping to sleep in 1 the cruel factories, only to bo rudely awakened by the lash of marble-hearted overseers !

Do ye hear the children weeping, oh ! my brothers !

Ere the sorrow comes with years ? They are leaning their young heads against their mothers,

And that cannot stop their tears.”

We arc not what we would wish to heWo are only gradually realising the truth of John Stuart Mills' words :—“ That the principle which regulates the existing social relations between the two sexes—the legal subordination of one sex to the other—is wrong in itself and now one of the chief hindrances to human improvement ; and that it ought to be replaced by a principle of perfect equality, admitting no power or privilege on the one side, nor disability on the other.” By the Grace of God, and, be it well remembered, by the unremitting efforts of only a handful of pioneer women, we arc what we arc. The names of Florence Nightingale, Josephine Butler, Elizabeth Wolstcnholm, and others in England, of Susan B. Anthony, Mrs Cady Stanton and others in America, will livo as long us the English languago is spoken. But these women are octogenarians. They have a brilliant' crowd of successors, and it is in obedience to the call .of these in International Council assembled, that we are now to renew our efforts on behalf of “ earth’s advancing Queen.” If the men who bid us God-speed arc in a minority—wo do not say they arc —they are Heaven’s aristocracy, and “ one is a majority with God.” But all they can do will be of little avail if woman—maid, wife, and mother—will not help herself. Olive Shrcinor’s words are eternally true : “ He who stands by the side of woman cannot help her ; she must help herself.” A suggestion was thrown out by Mrs Sheppard, President of the National Council, that an effort should bo made to establish a local Council of AVomen in each or as many as possible of the electoral districts, such Council to consist of women unattached to any society already affiliated with the National Council. Waiapu has been the first, we believe, to bring this about. Yesterday a number of women met and organised “ The Local Council of Waiapu Women,” having for objects, “ (1) the enfranchisement of women, (2) to bring individual women, especially in the more remote parts of the electoral district, into touch with the National Council of the women of New Zealand, and through it, with the International Council of Women and the women movement of the world.” Over

twenty women have been enrolled. Not an overwhelming number, but there was a time when, wo suppose,the first pyramid liad not twenty bricks set in position. A lady, not far from Gisborne, was introduced to Sir James Stansfield by Mrs Butler as “ a brick,” Sir James ! Women of Waiapu 1 such living, staunch, unyielding “ bricks ” are wanted for the building up of our local Council. They may be small, individually, and do not need to “neglect their homes,” “to atteiid meetings,” or to do any of the ‘one hundred and one terrible things with which women arc occasionally credited, but they are nevertheless just as truly needed as are the grains of sand to form the ocean beach, or drops of water to swell

the mighty river. All we ask is that our “ bricks ” be of good quality; offered, as the, Vicar of Wakefield’s wife chose her wedding-gown, and lie his wife, for “ qualities that wear well.” [Contributed,]