THE LADLES’ GALLERY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17529, 12 July 1917, Page 3

THE LADLES’ GALLERY.

The iron grille in front of the ladies’ gallery in tho House of Commons is to oo removed, in graceful acknowledgment of tho equality of the sexes, which tho war has established to the satisfaction of British politicians. Henceforth lady visitors to the House of Commons will be able to be seen, instead of looking like wild beasts in a cage. Incidentally, the removal of tho grille will enable the ladies to get a better view of the proceedings on the floor, of the House, but that is of less consequence than that members and the occupants of the other galleries should obtain a better view of the ladies in their gallery. In tho days of suffragette, rowdyism the grille was useful for its narrow mesh prevented missiles being hurled at members whom the suffragette’s regarded with disfavour. But the grille dates back far-beyond the demand lot female suffrage. Mr Dickinson, tho member to \fliom belongs the credit, of suggesting that the grille should bo'removed, lias delved into tho past, and discovered that the grille was instituted in 1834, when the ladies’ gallery extended down to the side galleries occupied bv members of Parliament. 'Dio object of the grille was to prevent members talking to the ladies, or perhaps to prevent -ladles, talking to members. lor hundreds of years before the grille was instituted ladies had exorcised the pnvi 1 of goiiip to llio House of Cornmens to.'hear the debates, and on important occasions they went in such i,umbers that they crowded info the Cham her, and occupied tlio -seats of members. On February 2. lt/8, they invaded the Chamber m .such tome that an order was issued to elcai tho House of t,ho presence of “ strangers. ’ ’Die ladies objected to being, removed, and the proceedings of tho House were suspended for two hours while the process of removing the reluctant ladies was carried out. In punishment, ladies were entirely excluded from the House, and the bail remained m force for fifty years.

of the Canterbury (New Zealand) branch of the Navy League acknowledge with thanks cash donations of £1 each from Mrs E. Harris, Christchurch, and Mr J. R,. Todhunter, Clarence Bridge, also gifts in kind from the following:— Mrs Beckett, Fendolton, Miss Hawkins, Mrs J. W. Monday, Mrs W. N. Macbct.h. Miss B. Macbeth, Mrs E. Harris and Mrs Bunion. Those comforts are for the men of the Royal Navy, the blind and wounded sailors in naval hospitals, and for naval prisoners of war ir. enemy countries. Gifts o! balaclavas, cuffs, handkerchiefs, mittens, . mufflers, chest and lung protectors, socks, stockings, hot- water bags and waistcoats; also cigarettes, pipes, tobacco, tins'of jam, cocoa, condensed' milk, coffee, tea, treacle or golden syrup, Mellins Food-, cheese, sardines, sweets, arrowroot, sago, sugar, books, writing paper, Christmas cakes and puddings, will bo gratefully received by the committee. These gifts may be left at 119, Worcester Street. Christchurch, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12 noon and 2 and 4 p.m. oh Wednesday of every week.