THE PARLIAMENT OF FINLAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9210, 13 April 1908, Page 3

THE PARLIAMENT OF FINLAND.

» (" Woman's Life.") The feminist movement in Finland has, perhaps, proceeded slowly, but none the less surely. One by one obstacles have been surmountedj until not alone have the women of Finland been granted the vote on the same terms as men, but nineteen feminine candidates have been, returned as members of Parliament, and this with the hearty co-operation of the men voters. Women have done much for Finland in times of oppression, and national independence owes a vast amount to their efforts. Patriotism takes a practical form in Finland. The people are sober, thrifty, hard-working, and in deadly -earnest over all that concerns their country. From earliest years the children are taught to be patriotic; it is one with their growth, included with their lfißsons, learnt in the home circle until the boys and girls of Finland become in their turn sturdy citizens with their country's weal at heart. UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE. It is now three-and-twenty years since the Finnish Women's Association was founded, though the women's movement had, begun long before. Little by little the organisation gained ground, adding to its members as time went by, and strengthening its footing, until in the year 1898, when the Czar broke faith with the Finnifih Constitution, and attempted to crush the independence of the sturdy little country, the women proved themselves in working for the cause of national liberty every whit a match for the men. Despite the fact that prison and exile in Siberia "threatened them, the women of Finland helped to raise the funds needed, and soattered broadcast pamphlets and booklets dealing with the question of liberty. Then it was that the benefits .of universal suffrage took more irresistible shape, the men realising the importance of feminine help in the politics of the country. Finland's Universal Suffrage Law, without sex distinction, was sanctioned by the Czar on June 20 of last year, coming into effect in the following October. SCHOOLS FOR VOTING. The .gaining of the suffrage mcan^ a fresh increase of work for the Finnish Women's Association. Numerous lectures were given in order that feminine voters should be initiated into a knowledge of their new rights, for in the remoter parts of the country there were women to whom the news of universal suffrage had not arrived. Even where the knowledge had come the importance of voting had to be impressed upon the people. Mock elections were organised in order that women might be taught how to record their votes, and o-n these occasions great crowds attended, for by this time all were in deadly earnest, and the movement gained ground rapidly. PROMINENT WOMEN MEMBERS. A noteworthy and historic occasion, was the first sitting of the Finnish Parliament in which, women M.P.'s had a place — nineteen women in all. Their ages varied, ranging from about five-and-fifty to twenty-five, while their social position varied also. Among the most notable members of the Finnish Landtag is the Socialist Miss Mina Silliampe, who for many yeans occupied the position of domestic servant, hut who "later became the editor of a Socialist ./paper. Miss Silliampe has a thoughtful, kindly face, and is working hard to brighten the lot of the servant classes. Another woman deputy, well known in London and all over the Continent, > is Miss Alexandra Gripenberg, to whom speaking in public is no severe undertaking;, for Finland has often sent her as delegate to various international congresses of women. OLD AND NEW PARLIAMENTS. The 'Socialist Party is by far the strongest at present in the Finnish Parliament, and this the upper class, who are Swedish, do not like. The old system of government used to be by four Houses, in which, representatives of the nobles, the clergy, the peasants and the bourgeoisie met separately. This mode of government was known, as the Swedish Constitution, and was given one hundred and thirty-five yeaTs ago by special grant of Alexander the First. Madame Dagmar Neovius is the only woman, returned by the Swedish Party. RETURNED BY THE SWEDISH PARTY. Madame Dagmar Neovius is a woman of striking powers, who has for years fought for Constitutional Government and for the political enfranchisement of her sex in Finland. At one time she conducted a school which attracted the notice of General Bobrikoff, the Russian Governor of Finland, who was assassinated, it will be remembered. Madame Neovius was obliged to close her school, and barely escaped exile in Siberia. She is essentially clever and moderate in her views, being against violent measures, and as' she is an excellent public speaker, her influence In Parliament should be good. LITERARY AND MEDICAL DEPUTIES. Miss Hilda Kiakikoski, a leader, of the Finnish Party, is devoting her thoughts and. energies to the cause of the working women of Finland. She is a talented authoress. Miss Maria Lame is a Social Democrat with the courage of her opinions, while Dr Maikki Friburg takes her place in the Government as a leader or the Young Finnish Party>,Miss Elen. Wester-mark, young and eager, is a leader of the Swedish Party. All the women deputies are very much in earnest, and are determined, they say, to abolish many restrictions laid upon their sex. Meanwhile all the world looks on and wonders what further results will be aohieved by these first women M.P.'s. At all events they have written a memorable page in their country's history.