MISPLACED CHIVALRY

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6538, 21 February 1928, Page 4

MISPLACED CHIVALRY

Probably to feminist women there i s ‘ no more irritating phrase in the mouth of a magistrate than that beginning, "If you were a man," to point out that a convicted woman is getting slighter punishment than a jman would receive for exactly the same offence. Undoubtedly, there are cases where sex should be considered, but certainly not one of cruelty to animals. "The Women’s Leader” uses such a case happening lately in England, where a woman was merely fined for starving sixteen cows and a calf. "It is true that women arei seldom involved in cases of cruelty to animals,” says the "Leader,” “but wo fail to see, when they are, why deferential treatment should be meted out to them. It is, moreover, an unfortunate fact that the concession of small and undesired privileges to women is often quoted as an excuse for the denial of equality in more important matters.