ECONOMIC EQUALITY OF WOMEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6089, 28 January 1898, Page 1

ECONOMIC EQUALITY OF WOMEN.

A general meeting of the Progressive Liberal Association was held at tho "Women's Christian Temperance Union rooms, Gloucester Street, last night, when the President occupied the chair. There was a good attendance, and a paper was : read by Mrs Louißa Blake 'on "The Economic Equality of "Women." Mrs Blake supported the unrestricted admission of women to every trade, occupation or profession they might choose to ; enter, on equal terms with men as to ,' hpurS of work and wages. Every girl as 'wtili sia, ovevy boy should, she maintained, be , trained' in some occupation which 1 should enable them to support themselves. In this ! way independence of women would ;be secured, tiud marriage for the sake of a homo or support would be a ■ thing 'of. the past. With respect to ' married women, Mrs Elake urged that the , wife is equal with her husband, the earnor of the family income, and should therefore 1 bo accorded a legal right to a share of the ! income earned; Equality so established • would tend to . strengthen tho family i ties, and create a closer comradeship [ between husband and wife, and there- . fore happier conditions for the children. In conclusion, Mrs Elako moved J the following resolutions: — "This meeting " affirms the desirableness or the unrestricted " admission of women to every possible ; trade and occupation on the basis of ' equal pay for equal work." " This meeting , desire 3 the speedy recognition by law of " marriage as an economic partnership be--1 tween hnsband and wife on equal terms." { Mr Klein, in seconding the first motion, l emphasised the necessity for equal pay for » equal work. Mr Clarkson urged the importance of the Removal of all civil dis--1 abilities from women, especially the re--3 strictionon their admission to the House a of Representatives and to the position of JubUcks of the Peace. Messrs Manhire, B R. B. Ellisou, M'Cullough and others spoke to the motion, which was carried unauiiuouelv. . i , Messrs Klein, Ensom, Ellison, Manhiro, r Clarkson, M'Cullough, Mrs Parry and Mrs 1 Clarkson spoke to the second resolution; v which was carried. a A hearty vote of thanks was accorded 'to Mre Blake for her 'paper. (