TOPICS OF THE DAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 4823, 28 November 1902, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

What lias political enfranchisement done for 'the women ot colonial Now Zealand? It is visuscs doubtful if it has - produeenglisii cd, or will produce, any WOMEN. change iu them; but it may still bo true that they aro fully qualified by intelligence and independence of character to exercise political x-ights. The view that our women adorn tho franchise, in opposition to tho opinion that tho franchise is calculated to improve them, is apparently held by Alios Janet Sneed, aNew Zealand lady who is now in itngland, after having served iu tho Army Nursing Service Reserve in South Africa. Miss Speed, in tho course of an interesting interview, reported in “Tho British Journal of Nursing” for ll'.lOctobor, Slated that she was much struck by tho cramped outlook of English nurses whofn she had met. “ I do,.not refer,” sho said, “principally to a lack of general education, though this was very evident iu sorao instances; but so many seemed to talcs absolutely no interest in public or ( professional affairs, ’ and to have no knowledge of them. I have often wondered why British women at Home had not beforo this obtained the Parliamentary franchise, but I wonder no longer after meeting your Nursing Sisters—good women and true, many of them, but absolutely lacking a grip of tho realities. But then, again, _ one realises tho difference in the position of tho average woman in England and tho colonies; after coming to tho Mother Country I comprehend the atmosphero in which those Sisters have grown up, and it explains many things to mo. It seems to mo tho very air breathes a worship of wealth, and those, more especially women, who do not possess It are of little account. Everything seems overcrowded, cramped ; there is no room to spread one’s wings as in tho colonies. With us wealth is of little importance, hut one must have 1 individuality unless one is to bo a nonentity. People aro accepted on their own merits, and initiative and capacity are appreciated and cherished. It seems to lAe our standards aro truer than yours.” There is hero a virtual admission that tho women of Groat Britain do not deserve the franchise ; but this view is not supported by tho .-journal that reports the interview, which comments upon Miss- Speed’s keen appreciation and grip of both public and professional affairs, iu which it recognises “the educational valno_ of according to women a self-respecting position in tho State.”. Miss Speed’s view is tho more correct, so far as regards tho great bulk of the female population of Great Britain and the colonies—and the same, it may be added, is true of the males. The people of Now Zealand have universal suffrage, because they are fitted for it; in Britain tho State has not yet “educated its masters.”

Tho oahlo informs us that tho Hon. Joseph Chamberlain has Britain taken his departure from and her London for South Africa, colonies, amid hearty demonstrations of enthusiasm and confidence. In his visit to the South African colonies Imperialists will recognise a new and important departure and one that may .he held to foreshadow a coining change in the relations between the Mother Country and the offshoot nations who are “daughters in their mother’s house, hut mistresses in their own.” No British Colonial Secretary lias ever before gone on Official business to one of tho oversea portions of the' Umpire, though French Colonial Ministers have occasionally visited French colonies. Tho resolve of Mr Chamberlain emphasises the unerring Imperial insight of our own Premier,for one of Mr Soddon’s last acts before leaving England seven weeks ago was to urge upon tho Colonial Secretary the desirableness of making himself personally familiar with conditions and problems in the colonies and of exercising a more potent influence in the direction of their affairs. The idea is a thoroughly sound one—it being always, of course, understood that there shall he no- increase of Imperial control - and no corresponding lessening of the largo measure of liberty and responsibility enjoyed by the British self-governing colonies. Nodoubt the existence of special difficulties in South Africa at the present time constitutes the main reason of Mr Chamberlain’s mission: and it may bo ryprefott that cprtatn journalistic gossips will associate the visit with that indefinite “something” for Mr Seddon which lias already formed the theme of much ingenious speculation. That it will he but the first of many such visits to tho different divisions of the Empire is, however, a fair inference. The importance of the missipn is proved by tho notice bestowed on it by the British press and by the fact that it is to extend over tliree months. To us it seems Hkelv that, in addition to cementing British interests and smoothing over racial jealousies. Mr Chamberlain will endeavour to lav tho foundations of a South African Federation. Should he succeed in doing those things, he •null accomplish a great Imperial work, and will earn the grateful admiration of all Imperialists. Looking to the future, it would seem that Australasia might next claim a visit from the Colonial Secretary. While neither tho people of this country nor those of tho Commonwealth would invite or tolerate any interference in their domestic concerns, there are other matters that Mr Chamberlain might with profit inquire into. For example there is tho question of the future of Fiji and of the New Hebrides, which ought to ho settled in a way that will prevent the recurrence ot trouble, and consolidate the power of Britain in these seas. The progress of Mr Chamberlain's South AfricrJn mission will he watched with the keenest interest. All the tact, judgment and firmness of which, he is possessed will he required to solve the problems that await him there; but should 'he prove equal to the occasion, which can hardly oe doubted, tho new departure will he amply justified, and wo in Australasia wilt look forward with every confidence and pleasure to seeing him in our midst.