WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 79, 23 March 1908, Page 2

WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.

—■■■ ■ o GREAT MEETING OF WOMEN. London, March 20. A great meeting of woman suffragists was lield at the Albert Hall to welcome the suffragists released from Holloway Gaol.

Mrs. Pankhurst, who presided, urged them to re-double their efforts to obtain the enfranchisement. The self-denial work of the society increased the funds by £2500. An an-.' onymous lady has promised £IOOO a year. Miss Lawrence gave £IOOO. Over 250 people subscribed at the meeting.

At the last meeting of the Britid'i National Union of Women Suffrage Societies Mrs. Eawcett presided, and congratulated the meeting upon the progress the women's suffrage cause had made, which had been noticeably evinced since the Union made a point of taking part in "all by-elections. After a day of business a brilliant evening party was held, at which many men and women of note were present. People came specially eager to hear Mr. H. G. Wells, the author. He told his hearers that the suffrage must be the first of a series of reforms having for their object the economic and social emancipation of women. Almost every woman was dependent upon the will of some man. He said to the ladies present they could not have come to the gathering' that evening if some man at home had been opposed—really passionately opposed—to their doing so. (This statement was met by "No, no," from everybody.) But Mr. Wells continued to affirm that most of them were dependent for the means of existence upon some man, and this was still more the case with poorer women. The most important calling of women, that of motherhood, must lie freed from economic dependence. Either the marriage laws must be so altered as to secure to j the wife and mother a living wage from her husband, or there must be a State endowment of motherhood.