WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 11231, 21 March 1908, Page 2

WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.

LIBERAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT. (Press Assn.— By Telegraph.— Copyright.) (Received March 21, 8.30 a.m.} LONDON, March 20.' A great meeting of suffragettes was held in Albert Hall to welcome the released suffragettes. Mrs Pankhurst, who presided, urged them .to redouble their efforts to secure enfranchisement. The self-denial work had increased the funds by £2500. An anonymous lady had pro. mised £1000 a year. Mrs Lawrence gave £1000, while over £2500 was sub- . scribed at the meeting. '■■•■' BAND AND CAMERAS. LONDON, February 9. Four women suffragists— Mrs D.rummond, Miss McArthur, Miss New, and Miss Smith.— were given a stirring reception by many sympathisers on their relense from Holloway 'this (Thursday) morning. These "martyrs to men»made laws" were the party who adopted the novel tactics of chaining themselves to - the railings outside the Premier's residence in Downing street. Refusing to give an undertaking to the magisti"ate they went to prison as second class mis.demeanants, and were incarcerated altogether three weeks. Despite the chilly weather there, was a, crowd of fully a hundred people at the release, and they brought a band with them to relieve the tedium of waiting. It: was a male band, and played ■' such inspiring melodies as "There's no place like home" and "Only to see her face once more/' the latter breaking rather spasmodically into "See, the conquering hero comes!" —not all at the same time by any means— as the prisoners at length emerg:ed. Then while the photographers were taking all sorts of snapshots the band played "'Rule, Britannia.!' The released ladies, after being hugged and kissed pretty generally, posed in graceful fashion, and then entered a cab and were driven to the Eustace Miles restaurant to breakfast. The faithful band — playing ''D' ye ken John Peel?" — followed with the bulk of the women sympathisers. At the' restaurant Miss' Christabel Pankhurst rose to welcome the quartette. She said they never minded making the sacrifice if the results were satisfactory, and she thought that nothing they had done had had more satisfactory results. ' 'Mr Herbert Gladstone had found a way but of their difficulties for them. He said they only had to find their sureties and they would riot have to go to prison: She was. quite sure that Mr Gladstone would .not go to prison for any principle ' whatever (laughter). They were made of different stuff (cheers). Mrs Drummond proposed a resolution demanding "the immediate enactment .of a measure extending the Parliamentary franchise to duly qualified women." Nurse Smith, who had just completed' her third-term-in-prison, seconded the resolution. The curate in the gaol, she said, had told her that he did not like their methods, that they were not' ladylike. She' told him that they did not want him to like them. The curate said, "Oh, yes, you do. You are very upset if we dont." She informed the. clerical gentleman that they- could stand on their own feet. Miss Mac Arthur, the next speaker, said that they were quite willing to go to prison again if need be. Miss the fourth prisoner, said that having kept silence for three) weeks,' she felt very embarrassed at having to speak. Three weeks of silence! Could they realise what it meant? (Laughter). It had made her feel as if she ' never wanted to speak again. The. women, of England' did not realise what a privilege ' it was to be. a suffragist. It meant that they could do something out of the ordinary, and leave their mark on history. (Cheers.) ' ■ ■ The resolution was carried unanimously.