THE HOMELESS WOMAN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15511, 11 January 1911, Page 10

THE HOMELESS WOMAN.

(•'•'Woman at Home.”) There is no problem so pressing Ja England just now as that of the homeless'woman. A considerable amount of limelight has lately been directed on to the almost entire absence of decani dwellings for respectable women where they may obtain a night’s lodging without", being charged at a high rate OS’ annoyed by demands for a “ refer* once.” That men have a special privilege in the Rowtou Houses has been pointed out, and Manchester—always in the forefront of social movements—has just solved the difficulty in a pap* tial way by building Ashton Ho us*, called after the city's first woman councillor, Margaret Ashton, who was a prime mover in the scheme. This house has the same scale of chargee as the 1600 common lodging-houses on the register in Manchester—-id to 6d a night for a bed. This is an innovation in municipal life, as it has been built at a cost of £ll,OO by the Corporation and is practically the first time a city has recognised its civic obligations to friendless women. It remains to bo 6een if London will follow suit: her common lodging-houses are in many casevs dens of infamy, and her “respectable” lodgings are so harsh in demanding credentials from women who ask shelter of them that often frightened country women, up to seek situations as servants, or gentlewomen who have fallen on evil days, are foro* ed into the unsavoury precincts of the “doss-house,” with disastrous results if they happen to bo young. Cardiff is considering the necessity for a more similar to that in Manchester, and so A Glasgow. It remains to be seen if these cities will carry out their good l intentions. But London, with her vast -rmy of respectable, forlorn women, is still waiting for some philanthropist who will do what the City Fathers seem lisiuclined to undertake. Mrs Higgs, if Oldham, whose book, “ Where Shall She Live?” has aroused much attention. recently, suggests that a confermice of people interested in this mov* rnent should be bald.