WOMEN OF ALL NOTIONS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2647, 16 May 1923, Page 5

WOMEN OF ALL NOTIONS.

BIG CONGRESS IN ITALY. MUSSOLINI DECLARES FOR WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE, GRANTED BY 28 COUNTRIES. [By Electric Cable—Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Tuesday, 9.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 15. The Australian Press Association, special correspondent in Rome reports that Signor Mussolini, accompanied by a Fascisti Guard, with the Lord Mayor and Councillors of Rome, opened a Congress on International Women's Suffrage in the Piazza dell' Esposizione; in the presence of a vast concourse, representing 43 nations. The flags of all the nations were displayed and cinema op orators were busy. z

Signor Mussolini extended a most cordial welcome on behalf of himself and the Fascisti movement. "As far as I am concerned," he said, " I feel authorised to declare that the Fascdsti Government, if nothing unforeseen happens, can vouch to grant severai classes of women the right to vote,, starting from municipal and follow.' ing with political elections. By proceding by stages, no disastrous effects will ensue, as predicted by some pes. simists. On the contrary, very probably it will have beneficial consequences, because women will bring into the exercise of this new right their fundamental qualities of foresight, balance and wisdom. There are many problems outside of politics, whose solution affects women and their do. mestic and social position. I wish to state that all that may be attempted to raise the moral posiion of women will have the cordial support of the Fascisti Government, which recently approved the Washington Convention concerning the right of women to work and by this act placed itself in the first rank of civilised nations. We have also adopted a law against traffloi in women and children, thus giving l legal protection to women. I hope this Congress will make an essential advancement in the status of women and take a new step forward in the history of civilised nations." The president, Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, thanked the Government and people of Italy for the welcome ex. tended to the Congress, which represented a step in the world movement among women, and which demanded the repeal of antiquated so-called women's laws and customs and the substitution of the recognition of the fact that a woman was a human being. Mrs. Catt continued " our Congress represents the women of 43 out of the--60 nations in the world. Wo have dele-i gates from 28 nations who are voters on equal terms with men. Among them are members of Parliaments and councillors of great cities. The delegates who are still pleading for the vote represent only 15 nations. The majority of us are enfranchised and part of the collective rulers of the nations. We stand for educated men and women, for schools for every cthild, for work, good wages and better homes, the tender and more scientific care of children. The greatest thing that came out of the war was the emancipation of the women, but the vote has been the climax of the struggle and most grudgingly given. In Australia, all women vote, and of all the Continents, South America is the only one where no woman votes. Yet is is the Continent of Republics. Our suffrage movement has girdled the earth. We are an army, but our only weapon is an appeal for justice."