WOMEN IN POLITICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17984, 9 January 1922, Page 8

WOMEN IN POLITICS.

?tRSX BRITISH BORN M.P. NOTABLE SPEECH IN COMMONS. ' STRONG PLEA FOR ECONOMY. / [F«?M OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] LONDON, Nov. 18 Mrs. Wintringhara made heir maiden speech in the House of Commons, on th# occasion oi the second reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill, which dealt for Ihe most part with certain votes which Lad been granted by the House in con nection with unemployment. It was the first occasion on which a British-born woman had spoken in the Mother of Parliaments, and marked a red letter day in English history. The speech was an excellent effort, and received warm approval from all sides, Sir Park Goff declaring afterwards that tho House was proud to welcome the first British-born lady to enter its doors. A graceful figure in deep blaclc, she succeeded so" far that she remained undisturbed by '.he rush of members into the House to pay her compliment of being present. Her voice in slight but exceedingly pleasar.L Her onuncation was clearness itself, and she was listened to with wrapt attention. She richly deserved the warm applause w>th which her speech was punctuated, fa;* her matter was as good as her raws nor. Her brevity, too, mu-it have satisfied even the member wh) desires the electric clocks. Her themr was economy. Shi enlivened it by neat sallies of humour. What Economy Is. ''From my experience of the House," she said, " I know I shall not appeal in vain for an indulgent hearing in addressing this assembly fo? the first time. My reafon for intervening at this time is that the question of economy appeals very very much to women. With so many Scotsmen around me it may seom unnecessary to mention it, but we are all agreed tliat economy is necessary., Economy is not how little one can spend, but how wisely you spend, and just as the woman is the housekeeper in the homo, I look upon Parliament as the housekeeper of the nation. Expenditure always depends on policy. If the wifo of the man earning £3 a week spends £1 or £2 on some extravagant ornament shd has so much th© lew for food, clothing, and other necessaries. The same thing applies to the nation.- Thus the expenditure of money links up politics with the home. Women when they have to pay heavy taxes either directly or indirectly on tea, sugar, or other household commodities, naturally begin to look for the cause They do not wish to see reforms that .hey are keen on such as health housing, and education curtailed. Wll .v„ curtail their expenditure in the home, tney do not begin by saying they are not going to have a doctor.. They do not wish to have inferior food or to limit clothing, and they certainly do not think, if they have a leakv roof, that it should be allowed to go On'leaking. Such tilings women woulu not consider wise economy. They feel thai, tho best investment for the nation is good education and good health. (instructive, Hot Destructive. "During the war people were asked to economise as much as they could. Housewives were asked to economise m oveiy possible way. They did, and no doubt many hon. members suffered from goms of the dishes put in front of them, (Laughter.) They tried to get as much as poaiEla out of their gardens and allotments in order to help. But tais did no* end with the war. Women's interest was raised in the subject, and that interest is now asking why thorp axe such heavy taxes. The women gained confidence, and ih.w realise their capabilities, and Jiow that they have a voice in the expenditure of the nation they w?nt to know how and why the expenditure was incurred. The feeling of women is constructive, and not destructive. A great step in the direction oi economy is taking place at the Washington Conference. There is no stop which would more surely lead to economy if the conference proves a success, for the result must be not only _ economy for ihij nation, but for other nationn also, and any change in policy which will permit a reduction in armaments is a step in the direction of eoonomy. I tm voicing, perhaps, the views of a good many women in the country in expressing a desire for the success of the conference, and, through that conference; the advancement of the cause of ths League' of Nations. ' - »'<

Congratulations c.l Membwa.

e ; Sir P. GoS congratulated Mrt. Wintringham on her ex«lfent .roeech, to which, all had listened with the greatest interest. In view of her wit, practical knowledge, and wealth of experience, they all hoped her interventions in debate would be frequent in future, and they welcomed her as the first British-born lady to enter the House of Commons. (Cbuers.) Mr. W. Graham (Labour), on behalf of the labour Party, desired to associate himself with the tribute which had been paid to Mrs, Irrespective of nil party feeling, they desired to extend to hw a most cordial welcome.