ELLEN WILKINSON

Wanganui Chronicle, 25 February 1947, Page 9

ELLEN WILKINSON

The following tribute by Lady; Astor to Miss Ellen Wilkinson appeared in a recent issue of the “Sunday Observer" The House of Commons, the Prime Minister, Mr. Churchill, the press, and all who knew Ellen Wilkinson have paid their tribute to her courage, ability, and fighting qualities. She was a revolutionary more than a reformer. She loved action and took risks. And she was an ardent suffraShe cared passionately about the rights of women. It was she who brought a resolution before the House for equal pay in the Civil Service, and it. became part of the Labour Party’s

policy to grant it. The Government could pot pay a more fitting tribute to Ellen Wilkinson than by carrying out promise. No woman realised better what hardships were caused by this financial inequality or knew more of the commitments which single women have to carry.

One of her finest loyalties was to her invalid sister, whom she loved and supported all her life. I believe that despite her great love of life—and she loved it from more varied angles than most people—she would have found it harder' to go back on the equal pay pledge than to face the unknown. I pray that the good she has done will live after her, and that the causes she fought for will be maintained, just as her own gallantry never failed.