ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE. OF WOMEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5667, 11 September 1896, Page 6 (Supplement)

ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE. OF WOMEN.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir,— "lshmael " asks why men who treat their wives fairly, and so have nothing to fear from the Bill for the • Economic Independence of Women, should have this , Bill forced upon them. Surely it is hardly necessary to- reply that the reason is because some men do not treat their wives fairly. As well might it be asked, "Why should a man who treats his horses kindly live under a law that forbids him to treat tneni cruelly ?" Or," Why should honest men be subject to a law that forbids forgery or burglary?" Men who are kind and honest have nothing to fear from these laws, and" I repeat that the man who .treats his- wife fairly as regards her right to a just share of the family income has nothing to fear from such a Bill. I cannot agree with yoxur correspondent when he contends that a man and his wife cannot agree as to the disposal of the surplus income unless the wife knows all the/details of her husband's business. Agreements as to surplus profits without both partners having a full knowledge of the details of the separate departments are arrived at every, day by husbands and wives, and by those who are mere business partners. Business partners usually attend to the details of separate departments, yet they can agree as to surplus income. "Many partners do not even live in the sanie town, and cannot know all the details of each branch. Most directors and shareholders of companies are not acquainted with all the details of their businesses, yet they agree as to the disposal of their surplus income. If those who are bound together by purely selfish ties can agree, it is surely much more easy for those who are bound by bonds of affection as vreti. as selfinterest to arrive at an agreement I, think that if "Ishmael" remembers how cruelly Hagar suffered because she was not economically independent, he will, for her sake, use his pen in support of the Bill. — I am, &c, ANOTHER HUSbAND.