Woman’s Status In New Zealand

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 142, 17 June 1941, Page 3

Woman’s Status In New Zealand

WHAT HAVE THEY DONE WITH THE FRANCHISE? Mrs. How-Martyn, of England, a visitor who is keenly interested in the ‘‘women’s movement,” met members of the Manawatu branch of tho National Council of Women for a round table discussion recently, and was welcomed by Mrs. J. Harris, of Turakina. Mrs. How-Martyn gave a lead to discussion by contrasting the position of the women of England who had had a bitter struggle to get the franchise, wth the women of this Dominion who had been granted it 48 years ago. It was far from the truth to say the franchise had been handed the women of this country on a silver platter, the speaker said, pointing out that the question had first been introduced in Parliament in 1843, efforts being stimulated by an American woman visitor and further advanced by tho Women’s Christian Temperance Union. In England during the struggle 1000 • women went to prison for tneir convictions. It was not until the war of 1914-18 that men were convinced women had a contribution to make, but only women who had reached the age of 30 were allowed the vote. As there were nearly 2,000,000 more women they could have swamped the elections. It was unfair in that many women doing active war work were cut out. Under Mr. {Stanley Baldwin in 1928 every woman reached the political development New Zealand had attained in 1898. The women of England set to work immediately to use the vote which was the key to opportunity and service. The first thing asked for was that women should be eligible for Parliament, then for the legal profession and for administrative jobs in the Civil Service. A useful development had been the setting up of a women’s “•Service House” aud the building up of the Millicent Fawcett Library, wnere there were books, reports, etc. —in fact everything to help women to discharge their duties as citizens. Particulars were filed as to occupations open to women. On the junior council over 100 occupations were represented, including architecture, by Elizabeth Scott, architect for the Shakespeare Theatre. Must Take Responsibility. The speaker pointed out that women must not take advantages and privileges unless they were prepared to take equal responsibility and duties. The war to-day was so comprehensive aud total thero was no reason why women should not take their part. It was quite right that conscription should apply to the women as well as the men. When the Bill passed the House of Commons recently, of the 12 women members 10 had been present to speak in support of it. Turning to New Zealand, Mrs. HowMartyn asked how was it that after 48 years with the privilege of women’s franchise there was only one woman in Parliament? One could not hope to do much. A keen sense of humour and thick skin were necessary for the woman seeking Parliamentary honours. It was interesting to note that in England since the women had the vote there had never been a Parliament without women members, and of the present 13 there were very competent members. Lady Astor, elected in 1919, had been re-elected every term and the test was ability to hold a seat. One of the ablest women was Eleanor Rathbone who was

an authority on family allowances. The speaker recommended this member’s publications on the question as they applied to this country. During her visit to New Zealand Mrs. How-Martyn said she had heard contrary accounts regarding women on Hospital Boards. In a questionnaire sent out it was ascertained that of 43 Hospital Boards 19 had women representatives, 16 had no women and eight did not reply. Eleven had one, four had two (wnich should be the minium), two had three, Wairarapa had four, Wellington had five, and North Canterbury six. Continuing, Mrs. How-Martyn said .she had been horrified to find tnero was not one representative on any of the nine Education Boards. This should be broadcast because surely tne' education of the child was one subject on which wo-men should have a say: The system of election to Education Boards should be reorganised, t'he speaker averred. Everything pointed to the need for some central organisation where information concerning women’s status should be gathered and sent out by leaflet. Public opinion must be roused and it was not too soon to get busy for the next election. To her uorror, Mrs. How-Martyn said, she had found that in the Civil Service women were not on the permanent staff in New Zealand, and the higher offices were closed to them. It was curious iu tnis country to find more hostility to women in puolife among the men, and thero was apathy aud jealousy among tne women. This failure to get tho women to respond was a reliection. Women must bo roused to take their part in civic life, to understand democracy and teach their children to see taut it w T as carried out in the community, Mrs. How-Mar-tyn stressed. If this did not come about there would be another war and women would be as muen to blame as the men. Women must x>rove that they were not content to stand aloof while a new world was being planned. Education should come througn women’s organisations, and there saould be centres for training leaders. The women of this Dominion compared favourably with the women of any country in tne woriu, and should take pride in their ability. There must be unity —the sinking of minor differences und placing first things first. If we entered imuce as thoughtlessly as in 1918 so far as the women were concerned, we would lose it again, the speaker concluded. Much useful discussion followed and the guest speaker was warmly thanked by Mrs. Harris. It was agreed to invite the Dominion president to visit Palmerston North on Her way to Wellington to attend the annual conference of the W.D.F.U. and to arrange a meeting with members of the branch. Miss C. Jamieson reported that the Dominion convention of the W.C.T.U. had decided to petition Parliament for the strict enforcement of the law to ensure that there shall be no drinking after hours and asked affiliated organisations to show their xiractical sympathy.