POLITICAL WOMEN.

New Zealand Mail, 3 December 1896, Page 67

POLITICAL WOMEN.

[[By lone.] O, wad some power the giftie gie us To see ourselves as others see U 3.

So wrote Burns many years ago, and it would perhaps be as well if we all were to cultivate the “ gif tie ” and consider the matter seriously. It is possible that the typical “ new woman” or political woman that one reads so much about would say : “ Oh, but we do not care in tho least what people think of us, we just mean to be heard and say what we like and try to reform the world (and its dress !), and we care for no outside opinion.” But among the many women of all sorts and conditions I have met, I think there are few indeed who would make such a speech, and not one that would really mean it if she went so far as to say it. Perhaps among the men (I had nearly written the “ lords of creation, but suppose no such title is allowable nowadays) there may be some sturdy souls who care nothing for the world s opinion, but as I never °met such a rara avis I cannot believe in his existence. Allowing, _ then, that everyone really regards the opinions of others, or at least of one other, political women should be specially careful not to do anything which should in any way justify the ridicule which is heaped upon them, and should try to see themselves as others see them. It this ivere done the ridicule would soon die away with the ca, uses we flatter ourselves too much on our “ advancement,” which simply consists in our having the franchise and going to political meetings, and, in many cas«s, wasting our time in so doing. In our own time I do not think we have any women here to correspond with Lady Henry Somerset, “Emily Faithful,” Lady Jeuno and numberless other clever women well known in England. They are far ahead of U 3. Also we are apt to forget that in the past there were many political women who exercised far more influence from their homes and salons than all of us put together are ever likely to do —Mesdames do Staid, Poland, tho Duchess of IVEarloorough, the beautiful Spencer sisters (one of whom when Duchess of Devonshire is said to have been so eager to gain votes for I* ox against Sir Cecil Wray that she allowed a butcher named Steel to kiss her !) At that election, and at many others, women took a very prominent part, and worked liaid for their special candidates. There is no truer saying than “ There is nothing new under tho sun,” and in my opinion we are far too ready to think ourselves wonderful women, and flatter ourselves accordingly. By favour of a friend I was admitted to a women’s political meeting, and was surprised, and in some degree pleased, thereat. Instead of perky women popping up and talking in all directions at once, as I had expected, I found a very quiet assemblage which discoursed together in little coteries in whispers or subdued tones. The secretary read the minutes, and they were ..confirmed in a business-like way. Various other routine business was gone through, and a short paper read by a member, who invited discussion on it afterwards. But—solemn silence reigned around even the whispers died away, and presently the secretary rose and urged some member to get up and say something, and not to let the paper go without any reply. After a rather ghastly silence, and imploring looks and gesticulations from the secretary, one or two arose and said a fe.w deprecating words, but the fluent and perhaps empty chatter that I had expected was nowhere. So much the better, was my reflection, and I thought I had found —not the one silent woman that

sceptical man professes never to have met —but a whole roomful of them ! Later on, however, when a personal matter, arose for discussion, I found that I was mistaken, thei'e were quite the average number of “ unruly members ” present, though tempered in many cases with a great deal of common - sense and right feeling. It occurred to me at the time, and omen since, to wonder how much use these . organisations really are, and how many join them from an earnest wish to study politics. Some appear to go because their friends or neighbours do; some because they like to have an object for their evening walk; a few because they expect some vague advantage to accrue to themselves or their families; and yet another section because they are curious and expect to get some fun out of the meetings. As far as I could gather the political element was of the most shadowy description in the minds of most of the women —all of whom would perhaps bo considered by the outer world as serious students of politics. Another instance of how little depth of political research we are making can be found by attending the ladies’ gallery during session for one evening. There may be, of course, a few serious ones, who listen to the words of wisdom uttered in the Chamber below, but the large majority chatter incessantly, and are fully occupied with their needlework, or their next neighbour’s conversation. In any part of the gallery scraps like the following may be heard : “There is the orderly with a note; I wonder if Mr Blank is going to ask us to tea at the supper adjournment. No, Miss So-and-So has it. She is always getting notes; I wonder who her friends are?” And then they discuss the lady mentioned, and very likely her “ sisters, cousins and aunts,” too. A little further on two ladies wilL be earnestly comparing prices, grocery and drapery. “ It is a positive fact that I have to °ive 4s Gd for Johnnie’s shoes, and he is only three years old ; perfectly ruinous prices are in Wellington.” Notes of admiration and consternation from the other lady, and similar stories related. Further on still some ladies will be leaning over the ledge and making personal remarks about the members, much to their own amusement. Several seats in front will perhaps be taken up by little girls, who get dreadfully bored and sleepy in an hour’s time, but who are apparently stranded at the House till someone comes to take them home. In fact, if you want to study politics, the ladies’ gallery is not a good place to try in, as the chattering and general air of distraction make it nearly impossible. Now from Home letters and papers I gather that we are suppose 1 to be the newest of Mew Women. To be wrapped up in politics; to wear “ rationals ” as a general rule, and to go in for bicycle races (like the two Christchurch girls whose portraits appeared in the Sketch a few weeks ago), and to relax and enjoy ourselves by attending scientific lectures, like the American ladies in “ Martin. Chuzzlewit.” The fame of tho Lady Mayor travelled to England, and “Miranda” in the Ladies ’ Pictorial commented on her with much amusement. Our friends in England would hardly believe that we a-e just as frivolous, and perhaps more domesticated, than tho average English girls. ‘Also, that the Lady Mayor was an isolated specimen ; that the theatres with the lightest operas and up-to-date plays are crowded whenever the}' are opened. That dancing and golf axe our principal amusements, and last, but not least, that “rationals” are unknown in New Zealand, except in Christchurch, where they are worn by a few very devoted cyclistes,and tho attempts to introduce them for ordinary occasions by the family whose wedding photographs created such surprise was quite a failure, no one else apparently wishing to appear in those unbecoming garments. Altogether we are quite ordinary folk, in spite of tho franchise, which seems to have made very little difference, and certainly has nob raised any family or domestic quarrels, ns some of those opposed to it confidently prognosticated. People quarrel certainly, just as they used to do, but one never hears of politics being the cause of domestic dissensions. One good result of women’s franchise I noted at the last election, aud I hope to be gratified by beholding again, and that -was the absence of drunkenness and street rows on the election night. Solemn warnings were given to myself and some lady friends about not venturing into the streets on account of drunken men, flour, rotten eggs and other terrors. The masculines all went out in their “ camping ” clothes, and armed with substantial sticks. From a convenient window in the middle of town avo watched the proceedings with great interest. No flour, no eggs, either ancient or modern, only one party of “ drunks,” and those safely esconced in a cab, and many women about in all directions, all seemingly quite happy, and not molested in any way. The men of the house returned greatly surprised and somewhat crestfallen, as their warnings had been decidedly heated. They were reluctantly obliged to acknowledge that the franchise had had one good effect. I cannot say if it is owing to the franchise, but certainly in later years many more avenues of employment are open to

women. “ Poor ladies ” are not all obliged to become governesses or lady-helps, and these markets are not nearly so overcrowded as they used to be, and girls can get better salaries and fixed holidays, both of which are only just and right. I only hope that women will “draw the line” sensibly, and not try to crowd men out of employments that are really far better suited to men than to women, and to remember that “ do to others as you Avould they should do unto you” is very easily said, but exceedingly difficult to do. Above all, don’t let us be too pleased with ourselves, and let this be the conclusion of the whole matter for the present.