GERMAN POLITICS.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15152, 27 January 1923, Page 9

GERMAN POLITICS.

WOMEN IN REICHSTAG. “Personality plays a far less part in German polities than in English.” said Frau Schricher, the Social Democrat member for Lower Silesia, who was recently in London. “That, I think,sis why there are 35 women in ttie Reichstag, and only two at Westminster. The German system of voting by list tends to do away with any prejudice there is against women. ' For the German does not think of whom he is voting for, but for what party he represents, and with Ids usual obedience supports any candidate his parly may put forward. ‘‘Complete equality of the sexes in representation also gives Ihe German woman candidate an advantage over the English. Every women over 20 having a vote prevents the undue inIhience of the older and more prejudiced women, making it possible for comparatively young women to he deeded. one recently-selected member, for instance, was under thirty. ‘•There seems to be no special type of women in the Ueiehslag. One secs overv class and condition, from the aristocrats of the Extreme Right to Communistic working women. Marriage makes little for, although there are many mothers of large families, at least a score of unmarried women have been elected.

“With the many arid bitter divisions that divide modern German politics, no one can hope to succeed, who does not cling tenaciously to his party. All the women members, therefore, have to go entirely on their party ticket, There is absolutely no chance of a woman candidate offering anything different from a male member of her party, let alone forming a separate feminist gro,up.

“In' Germany there is absolutely no women’s vote apart from the men's; an independent woman candidate appealing to wqinen on purely feminine grounds would probably not poll a single vote. \ '' ' 0 “Extremely Moderate.” “The Socialists have by far the most women members, over 20 out 6f the total of 35. There has been less tradition against women to break down in the younger party. Also astpracticaljy all the women in the Socialist Party, with the exception of Frau Zctckin," the Gommmunist, are extremely moderate, they appeal more to the cautious German workers than some of the male extremists who wish to make Berlin a second Moscow. “Still, although the Socialists have the most women members, it is a very remarkable fact that there is not a single party, even the most extreme reactionaries, who have not at least one woman among them, even those who opposed suffrage before the war becoming reconciled when they saw’ how moderate and sensible the women voters were. " “Although there is no separate women’s party in Germany, it must not bo imagined that women members have failed to do their best to bettor the conditions of their ow : n sex. Laws have been passed to protect young girls and children, all (he professions thrown open to women on equal terms with men, and certain laws obviously unfair to women altered.” j As Ministers?

When asked if she thought that any of the women would be appointed to the Ministry in the near future, Frau Schricbcr said she thought that “none of them was quite experienced enough as yet for the higher posts, although Grande Baumc has done good work as Councillor to the Minister for the Interior, and Dorothy llierschfeld in the Ministry for. Works.” “Perhaps it is just as well," she added, “for the Germany of to-day is hardly a favour- j able Hr id for the woman politician to, start her career in.

“What do 1 think of tho new Cabinet? Frankly, Ido not think it will last long, as it is not really representative of the people, and some of Dr. (Juno’s choices are exceedingly unfortunate. Of what will happen in the future it. is quite impossible to say anything. I may arrive back in Berlin'next week, lo find fain no longer a member of the Reichstag.” Although born in Vienna, Frau Schrieher has become a German by marriage, and lias spent, most ,of her life in Berlin. A writer and journalist, she was for some time editor of a suffrage paper, for which cause she worked hard before Ihe war. Umil 1920, when Frau Schrieher was elected lu the Reichstag, she had held no position. under the Government, hut has had considerable experience of public life owing to her social work.