WOMEN’S SOCIAL AND POLITICAL UNION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XL, Issue 11436, 29 November 1915, Page 8

WOMEN’S SOCIAL AND POLITICAL UNION.

A SENSIBLE MANIFESTO. United Press Association. —By Electric . Telegraph. —Copyright. Received Nov. 29, noon. London, Nov. 28. A meeting of members and recent ex-members of the Women’s Social and Political Union, has issued a manifesto emphasising the necessity of safeguarding the suffrage cause from political intrigues, and declares that Mrs Pankhnrst, without asking the members’ consent, used the Union’s name for political purposes, which is outside its objects. An overwhelming majority, if consulted, would have been in favour of keeping the Union organisation alive for such national and patriotic purposes as protecting -women’s and children’s interests, preventing an increase in infant mortality, assisting and organising women’s industrial resources for service to the country in time of peril. Mrs Pankhurst’s circular of August, 1914, advising members to take a rest and suspend activities, virtually disbanded the Union as a [national organisation. Received Nov. 29, 11.25 a.m. London, Nov. 28, Mrs Paukburst retains the complete control of the Union funds. The central machinery had the assistance of a salaried staff in pursuing various activities without the consent or appoval of the Union,and a multitude of trained and voluntary workers and speakers throughout the country. This explains the small scale of her operations compared with the magnitude of the union’s pre-war work. She usurped the authority to expel members, including almost all who possessed influence, capacity and independence, and had shown callous indifference to these devoted women, many of whom but for individual help would have been completely destitute. Miss Uhristobel Pankhurst should resign or clearly explain her absence from the country at a time when the services of all women in the capacity of goodwill were sorely needed.