DR. FRANK CRANE’S DAILY EDITORIAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 112, 2 August 1927, Page 14

DR. FRANK CRANE’S DAILY EDITORIAL

OBSTACLES TO WOMAN’S RIGHTS (Covvriohl. 19Z7.J ROMAN’S rights simply means giving women the same privileges as men and breaking the age-long slavery to which they have been subject. The condition of woman is much like that of slaves. Their position is very pleasant in many cases. It is an easy thing for a woman to be “kept,” that is, to be the wife or daughter of some man who is willing and anxious to support her. The fundamental basis, however, for a good marriage is the economic independence of the woman. When she is able to stand upon her own feet she is in a much better position to drive a bargain with a man. When she is economically dependent she has to do about as he wants. The condition of women for many thousands of years has been that of a slave, that is, she has been kept for man’s enjoyment and supported by him for that purpose. Only emerging into the condition of being an equal and free partner she finds many obstacles. fine of these is the disposition of some married women to look down upon a woman who earns her own wages. The woman wage-earner, however, is entitled to the highest respect. She is much more independent and less liable to embarrassment than the woman who is dependent for her means of support upon a man. Every parent ought to train his daughters to make a living. The old Jews gave every son a trade and every man ought to be able to make his living in the world and the same applies to every woman. No better form of life insurance could be left a woman than some sort of ability or training to do something the world is willing to pay for. She ought to have something else to sell besides her body. That women are capable of making a living has been demonstrated many a time. There are certain kinds of calling in which a woman is more capable than a man and all discrimination against women earning their living should be stopped. ♦. No person is entitled to higher regard than the woman who stands squarely on her own feet and is able to support herself. Many women have various activities but they produce nothing that is of any account. Ages of tradition make them look down upon the wageearner, but take it all in all the wage-earner is the one person in the world who is entitled to respect.