Women in the Cabinet

Waikato Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1741, 18 April 1916, Page 3

Women in the Cabinet

HOW WOULD THE WAR BE?

It may be taken as a rather interesting sign of the times when the editorial column of the “Daily Mail” seriously discusses the question whether the war would not be in a better state if the Cabinet had been composed of an equal number of men and women.

“The question,” states the writer “is being seriously discussed by many who have been amazed at the quick and splendid way in which women aie taking to Avar life.

“Putting aside the current gibe that there are several old wmiien in the Government already, avc arc inclined to think that the quick wits and vigorous tongues of eleven practical ladies would have insisted that, out of the twentytwo, there should be selected a real lea der, able and will to say firmly, “Yes” or “No,” “Look ahead!” and “What about the weekly bills?” “Women know that if a house is to be well managed it must have at its head a mistress or a housekeeper. “They know, too, that if the mistress and the cook, and all the maids and the house hoy Avere allowed to order from shops indiscriminately ruin Avould soon come.

“They know the truth of the saying: “Like mistress, like maid.” A Avealthy Cabinet that draAvs its full salary and spends it cannot expect a Avatehing public to economise.

“Woman’s tongue is a sharp sword, and she takes care that it shall. no f rust_ Would the twenty-two be so fond of praising themselves and each other in public if a few home truths were regularly uttered by some shrewd feminine critics at those interminable and futile mutual admiration debates? Women, the practical-minded sex, not only talk but also act. If talk were shells the twenty-two Avould have beaten the Germans months ago. Many men are Avriting to M.P.’s about the Avar. The ladies can help by folloAving suit. Nothing stimulates a man so quickly as feminiim home truths.”