WOMEN IN NORWAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10418, 23 March 1912, Page 4

WOMEN IN NORWAY.

(" Votes for Women.") It is well known that, with the possible exception of Finland, Norway is the country whore the Woman Suffrage movement has gone furthest. It is now many years since women obtained the municipal vote and became entitled to seats on the County Councils. At last Parliamentary elections they had not only the vote, but also tho right to stand as Parliamentary candidates, and Fru Rognerud, the first elected woman member of the Storthing, took her seat in the Norwegian Parliament about a year ago. Recently a further step was taken, when a Bill was passed by the Norwegian Parliament admitting women to all public positions except those of being— 1. Members of the Government. 2. Ministers of the State Church. 3. Diplomatic and consular representatives. 4. In military command. 5. Positions which may hereafter he opened, and which at tho time Parliament should consider suitable for men only. It was passed, by a large majority—a majority composed of all sections of ths House,' irrespective of party divisions. In Norway, therefore, says the "Daily News," we may shortly see women judges, women heads of departments and women chiefs of police. The day may not bo far distant when a, Norwegian barrister addressing the judges in the Court of Appeal, will open with the words, " May it please your ladyships 1" We understand that a still wider proposal to throw open all Government appointments to women was defeated, by 60 votes to 28.