TO THE WOMEN OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13355, 8 December 1906, Page 8

TO THE WOMEN OF AUCKLAND.

We have received-'.the following appeal to the women of Auckland from the "Women's Social and Political Union of London to do all they can to back up the women of the Mother Country '* i.' their terrible, struggle for political freedom": — ■

You cannot realise the awful: position of the English women workers; many have to toil 17 and 19 hour.* a day for the sum of Is per day: and a. penny an hour is'looked on as a fair wage for women in this country, which boasts of being the freest ; country of the world. To-day there are 11 women in prison, -imply for demanding the .'votes for women,! that their less fortunate sisters might be .benefited. One of the them, the eldest daughter of Richard Cobden, the .man who did ,so much to bring th© cheap loaf to. the workers. Two daughters of the late Dr. Panfchurst, LL..D-, and one very wealthy, and also working women. It is to, prevent a continuance of-sweating, as. illustrated in the recent- fearful exhibition, that these' brave women are fighting for the vote that their social arid', industrial condition may.-'■; be k improved. , After living on this starvation wage, when they are old or feeble they are packed away, in poor-house-,, with no friend or loved one to look after them; all branded as paupers, with no citizens' rights. These, surely, without' enumerating other anomalies, are enough- to call forth the sympathy and protest-from all the free women of our State. I therefore appeal to you all to do all in vour power. to awaken Australasian sympathy" in the justice of the -women's demand. The women of Free. Finland have, sent their greetings, and offered to come "over and help their English sisters. I know Australasia will be ready and willing to help/ as she has always been ready when the occasion ealled. Demonstrations of protest against, withholding the vote or anv other way which may suggest itself to you will be telling. English women are looking to their Australian and New Zealand sisters to stand up for them in; this critical juncture of their great battle. It is for the homes, the women, and the children that 1 appeal to you; and in the name of all that is holy, my dear free sisters of Australasia, I beg you to give a helping hand and encourag- j nig word to the less fortunate women of England.— Alma -MAitTEL. London "