A Female Victory

Southland Times, Issue 21604, 16 January 1932, Page 19

A Female Victory

Women are at last to be admitted to the Reform Club in London, which has been sacred to men for a century. Extraordinary scenes marked a recent meeting of members when it was decided by a two-to-one majority’ that women should be admitted to the club on Saturdays and Sundays. For several years women have battled for admission to the club, and the fight became more insistent after Miss Megan Lloyd George, M.P., dined there as a guest in 1929. Three years ago a member moved a resolution that women should be allowed at the club during week-ends, but only a few members of the 1200 supported him. Last year the question was resurrected, Members were still “horrified.” Only eight members voted for the proposal. Since then strenuous attempts have been made to revive the question, and a special committee of members was appointed to thrash it out. A general meeting was called for 24th November, after all members had been circularized. More than 200 were present. After a stormy meeting lasting for over an hour the decision to admit women was carried by 95 voles to 41. There were unprecedented scenes when it came to the question of voting. There was shouting and cross-talking, and a satisfactory vote could not be taken on the show of hands. In the end the vote was taken in Parliamentary' fashion. The “Ayes” filed out into one corridor and the “Noes” into another, where, after’some time, they were counted. Many did not vote. When the result was made known there was a further demonstration and a petition was at once presented by one of the older members. It was signed by a score of supporters and called for a poll on the question. As a poil is only allowed at the annual meeting and at extraordinary general meetings, it was ruled out of order by the chairman, Mr Bird. “It was one of the most exciting meetings that I have ever seen in the Reform Club,” a member said. “Women will be allowed at the club for tea and dinner on Saturdays and for lunch and dinner on Sundays. “It has been Mt that this has been necessary for a long time, as the club is usually desolate over the week ends.”

The Reform has bad many noted members. One figure that emerges from the old days is John Bright. In recent years Mr Lloyd George, Mr Churchill, and Lord Melchett have been members.