DAY BY DAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14257, 7 January 1920, Page 4

DAY BY DAY.

Lady A*tor, who is «n American, in her rice Lion campaign at Fight for Plymouth, for which seat the she was returned with an Children, absolute majority over the Liberal and Labour candidates, said: —"Although I am one of the most serious-minded women in England to-day, I.have got the sort of mirth of 'the British Tommy. I can laugh when I am going over the top. (Laughter.) I am not standing as a sex candidate. I do not believe in sexes or in classes. It is the heart that really matters. It took the courage of Drake and the spiritual faith of the Pilgrim Fathers to get me here to-'

nigM. Prom what.l know of West I Country people, 'theyllikejboth. I hare heard it said, 'Well, we like women,'! and so. forth—the same old thing—'but we ain't so sure they ought to be in i the House of Commons.' 1 You all had' » perfect right to say that five years' ago, but you have ho ' right now. I (Cheers.) 1 hayo heard it said that a woman who has sot children should not go into the House-of Commons.! She ought 'to be at home looking after her children. That is true; but I feel someone ought to be looking after the more unfortunate children. My children are among the fortunate ones, and it is that that steels me to go to the House of Commons to right the right, not only of the men, but of the women and children of England. (Cheers.) 1 spent the last rive years among soldiers and sailors who fought and bled and died for 'the country; 24,000 man passed through our hospitals, and I was among .them all day long It taught me a lot, and it has been a glorious privilege to live among heroes. 1 am sure I know the mind, and heart of the British Tommy and Tar. The men of the lower deck and I have already worked for each other. Now i - our 'time to show our gratitude to these men, by living for what they died for—a better world. I have no patience with the people who talk as if this war had been fought for a higher wage. It was fought for something far better; but it is the duty of us who are alive now to make the country better and to make the conditions of their children and their children's future happier in every way. You know me well enough to realise that 1 have a great measure o*" independence. If you want an M.P. who will be a repetition of the other M's.P., don't vote for me. If you want a lawyer, or if you want a pacifist, don't select me. If you can't get a fighting man, take a righting woman. If you want a party hack or a delegate, don't elect me. Surely we have outgrown party ties. I have. The war has taught us that there is a greater thing than parties, and that is the State. I got to know a good deal about Mr Lloyd George, because I spent a fortnight in Brittany with him. His heart is as sound as a dollar, and he •has courage. Oh, and he has the welfare of the whole country at heart. I am going to back him, but only in so far as I think is right. (.Laughter.) Women are always right." (Laughter.)