STATUE OF MRS. PANKHURST

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 72, 8 March 1930, Page 7

STATUE OF MRS. PANKHURST

UNVEILING CEREMONY.

BIG GATHERING OF WOMEN.

[United Preu Aseoclation—By Cable— Copyright.]

London, March 7, In the shadow of the Houses of Parliament, close to the spot where she was arrested nearly 20 years ago when leading a demonstration for the enfranchisement of women, a statue of the late Mrs. Pankhurst was today unveiled. The ceremony was performed by the Rt. Hon. Stanley Baldwin, Conservative leader, who paid a tribute to the zeal and achievements of Mrs. Pankhurst. Mr. Baldwin said: “I was opposed to her for many years, but it fell to my lot to put the coping stone on her labours.” This was a reference to the legislation of his late Government in extending the vote to all women of 21 years. A great gathering of women included! many who were prominent in the militant suffragette campaign The metropolitan police band, representing an organisation with which Mrs. Pankhurst was some'vhat familiar, was a striking feature of the ceremony. They played works of foui women composers. Dame Ethel Smyth, a veteran suffragette, was an imposing figure in academic robes She personally conducted two compositions which she wrote during the women’s struggle for politic.il equality. The statue, which is the work of Mr. A. G. Walker and Sir Herbert Baker was draped in purple, white and green, the familiar colours of the Women’s Social Political Union Wreaths were piled high around the base. One was inscribed: “Mother, from Cliristobel.” AU traffic on the Embankment stopped until the close of the ceremony.