WARLIKE WOMEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7039, 29 January 1910, Page 11

WARLIKE WOMEN

WHAT A MEETING OF 6000 SUFFRAGETTES IS LIKE. "DARE TO BE FREE!" (By Our Lady Correspondent). LONDON, December 17. "Tell your husband that he's to got a housekeeper! Say to him. 'lf you don't know how to look after yourself you must find out where you can!' "Toll your employer to give you a month's leave! "Tell your children that they jnust do without you! "We want two hundred women who are (prepared to leave their homes and their work!" This is tho extra motto of the Women's Freedom 'League—whose motto is, "Dare to be Free <" —for election time, and it was voiced rby Mrs BillingtonGrcig, the hon. organiser of the League at a Yulotide Festival held at the Royal Albert Hall. Around her in tho arena, in the stalls, in iboxes, and on tho balcony, were thousands of women—militant suffragettes, a fierce band who signified approval of the epigrams of the leaders, Mrs Destmrd, tho president, Mrs How-Martyn, secretary, Mrs Billingtoii-Greis:, by cheers and shouts and ories of intense determination. FAITH IN THEMSELVES.

From the speaker, Mrs BillingtonGreig, a young and not <by any means unlovely woman, came frank denunciations of the Government. Of Mr Asquith, in tones of bitterest sarcasm on a recent pronouncement of hi 3 "Ho would reiterate his words of meaningless interest. . . . "The retiring Government has 6hown> cruelty, cowardice, and brutality suchi as have not 'disgraced .Britain for oj century! "I .say this 'is the last election in which women shall not vote. "If we keep our faith in our demands,, if we keep our faith in our methods, the next Government will fail." There can,he no doubt upon one point in connection with the suffragettes, and that is that they certainly believe in themselves. "The strength of a movement," the organiser said, vr is to be typified by the strength of the movement that is against it—our strength today is the strength of our spirits." SEA OF WOMEN. So crowded "was the nieetinjr and so badly managed that no accommodation was reserved for rprcss representatives, and consequently 1 had to stand in an aislo all tho evening propping myself up against a swaying wooden partition gaily, decorated with green and gold and whits 'paper roses—tho colours of the League. Still, this proved a good vantage ground *fcr 'surveying the audience. Women! Women! Women everywhere, 6000 of them, at least—a little sprinkling of men -here and there signifying approval and looking very pleased with themselves when Mrs Despard 'pointed to them and acknowledged : ■ "You are the pick of your sex ! Some of] you who have not been amongst the ; pioneers will be exceedingly sorry that' you "weren't!" . Mrs Despard is a woman whom, havjing seen, one would not forget. Her voice did not carry well in so large a : place, .but her graceful hearing, her ipretty gown in a community mainly of ugly ones, was conspicuous. • That she is a leader there is no doubt.i and that she is loved; one could hear a pin drop -while she is speaking, save when shouts of "Hear! Hear!" "Horroy!" etc., filled the air. THE SUFFRAGETTE GOWN. Mrs who has justlately returned to active work, made a lengthy speech in a. clear and perfectlji audible voice, and the affection with iwhich she is regarded was shown by the' 'entire audience rising to its feet as she 'rose to make her speech. No emotion, however, affected her voice as she thanked her supporters, and she proceeded to outlive the grievances of women, and tho League's .proposals for upsetting the various elections—what the methods are to 'bo was not divulged. What has come to foe known as the [''suffragette kowu" was to.ibe seen on all isides, and a vory unbecoming garment) lit is, from an artistic standpoint. Like a sculptor's overall it is shaped, at neck and arms, 'but hanging in eack-' liko folds elsewhere, land stout women,, thin women, .tall or short ones, all pear in it, generally in screen with trimming somewhere of white and gold. Looking down on the sea of feminine faces upturned to tho speaker, it struck me that one 'word would describe the' expression on every face, and that wordi is "Determination," and unbending determination at that.

Even a supporter imust acknowledge, that such determination as wipes out all other expression is never a, pretty attribute to a woman's face. DESERTED HOMES.

It is -noble, iperhaps. but there aroj varying forms of nobility apparently. ' A whimsical thought ran through me,; as I stood there watching .and listening,, that while these sisters, wives, and) mothers attend their .many meetings, the. accidents and childish sorrows that come to little ones at home -must find their own (panacea. Is a husband's or a lover's heart desperaito with weariness to break while the woman. who ostensibly loves and honours him does a .month in prison or stalks the pavements to advertise her "cause?" Letters of encouragement wore stated to have been received from New Zealand, the "Women's Political Association of Victoria, the American suffragettes, Maairten llaartens, and ■a. host of others, and many were read out—those from New Zealand were not, however, accorded the honour, iprobably through press of .time. New Zealand was, however, displayed as a supporter by the presence of a great gold banner (bearing the name "New Zealand" in green letters and hung in the choir stalls. Other banners andmottoss read, "Votes for Women," "Keep tho Liberals Out!" etc.

Regarding tho .policy of the League it was said :

"We're ani anti-Government party ■. . tho 'Government that has the power is the enemy that must be attacked. "We must purge the House of Commons of tho presence of men who support man's .arrogant assumption of the right to govern tho women of the country, and we're on the eve of & great struggle !" During service at St, Mary's Parish Church, Ilford, an organ pipe fell out, and struck a lady named lira Isabolla Lucas on the head. Thanks to a thick bonnet Bho was • wearing, her injuries were not serious. In tho cabin of the Kaiser's new racing yacht Meteor IV. is an oak armchair, presented by Kine -Edward, made from the bulwarks of Nelson's Victory.