The Courage of Conviction.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5257, 13 May 1895, Page 2

The Courage of Conviction.

Tho woman's, franchise question pro mieee to become an important one in political circles, not only in Australasia, bat also in Great Britain and America. Evidently there is much strong feeling on the Bubject among those womeu who are still wanting enfranchisement, and there can be no doubt that the moral Bupport afforded them by the sympathy of New Zealand and South Australian women hag immensely encouraged thorn in their struggle. Only the other day the Queensland women passed a resolo'l^u. thas wft? u.omietakably outspoken and courageous;, " In conßequence," it ran, " of the opinions held by the jHon D. H. Dalrymple, as expressed in the Legialatire Assembly on the women's franchise question, this meetins: 19 of opinion that he is unfit for the position of Minister of Education, to administer the education of the sons and daughters of the women of Queensland, and we hereby protest against bis appointment in the name of liberty and womanhood. A copy of this resolution to bo forwarded to the Premier and the Minister of Education." There, is no doubt that women hold clear ideas on many questions affecting their future, and it is only right that they should make theee ideas known. The question of equal remuneration for equal work, for instance, is one that affects most vitally the status and well-being of women. At the present moment this matter is arousing earnest attention in all English-speaking countries, and one of the most notable resolutions adopted by the National Council of Women, which ended its second triennial session at Washington two months ago, indicates the importance with which its members regard the industrial question. " Since justice requires that in all departments of service efficiency and not sex shall be considered/ they demand that " the United States Government shall eet the standard for the country by paying its employes equal wages for equal work, and by holding women equally eligible for all competitive examinations and for employment and promotion." In England, too, the question of* women's work is being largely discussed. The Woman's Council that has just been formed in London has drawn up a programme which shows that its members are terribly in earnest and have an intelligent grasp* of the important work that lies before them.