AUCKLAND WEST SEAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15770, 19 November 1914, Page 4

AUCKLAND WEST SEAT.

MR. BRADNEY'S CAMPAIGN. WOMEN AND PUBLIC LIFE. A frank expression of his views regarding participation in politics by women was given by Mr. J. H. Bradney, Reform candidate for Auckland West, in answering questions at a meeting of women which he addressed in the Windsor Hall yesterday afternoon. While recognising tho important part played by women by the exercise of their votes, Mr. Bradney declared that he was strongly opposed to the admission of women into Parliament, as he considered that tho home and motherhood offered a nobler sphere for women than politics. He stated that he would object to any proposal to open every position in the Public Service to women, for tho same reason that he considered women should not engage in pursuits which were properly the sphere of men. The competition of women tended to depreciate wages, and every woman who accepted employment in men's work endangered the prospects of a prospective husband and father. Mr. Bradney said he spoke as the father of a family, who considered that it was the duty of fathers to maintain their daughters amd the duty of husbands to provide for their wives. His remarks were loudly applauded. Mr. Bradney urged that during a national crisis, domestic differences should be set aside in the interests of the whole people, Three years ago he had announced himself as a broad democrat without any inclination towards party, but during his experience of tho past three years, he had come to the conclusion that the Government partv was the only true Liberal party in the Dominion, amd had definitelyassociated himself with it. He believed that none of his actions had brought discredit upon his constituents, and having served his apprenticeship he hoped, if he was returned, to justify their confidence in him.

About 100 ladies were present, and at the close of the candidate's address a vote of thanks and confidence was carried on the voices. A lady suggested that a more democratic expression would be given by a show of hands, amd the suggestion having been adopted by Mrs. Edgar, who presided, the motion was again put to the meeting and carried with only four dissentients.