THE BARMAID QUESTION.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 936, 13 February 1908, Page 20

THE BARMAID QUESTION.

In a recent issue of the London L.V. Gazette, we find particulars of an interesting side of the above question. The deputation from the Barmaids’ Political Defence League which waited upon Mr Gladstone at the Home Office, was successful in every possible way. The pub ic interest which it created is perhaps best shown by the fact that there were no fewer than thirty representatives of the Press present, while there were snapshotters at the entrance ready to photograph the ladies as they put in an appearance. The deputation consisted of Miss Eva Gore Booth, of the Women’s Trade and Labour Council, of Manchester,

Miss Esther Roper,' Mrs Sarah Dickenson, of the Machine and Electric Workers’ Union, and nine barmaids of all ages. The first three were the spokeswomen, and they laid their case before the Home Secretary in a manner which drew forth a high compliment from Mr Gladstone. Mr Gladstone, after a few introductory remarks, said :—“ I think I can give you a genera’ reassurance on this question. At a deputation which waited upon me earlier in the year, certain statements were made with which I expressed entire agreement, but the report of what occurred made it appear as though I agreed with all that was said by those who constituted the deputation. In the first place, I will make a frank admission that any Government and any Parliament should think twice and thrice before doing anything which would seriously or materially interfere with the employment of women. In the second place, I would kke to assures you that I have never joined in any condemnation of barmaids as a class, nor have I joined, nor will I join, in any imputations against them as a class. Next. I would like to say for the Government that we have no intention, .that we have never had it in contemplation, to put an end to the occupation of women on licensed premises. When the deputation waited upon me in March last, I must confess I did not get much enlightenment as to how their proposals could be carried into effect. The Government, as you know, intend, next year to dea 1 with the licensing question. The Bill itself will be in charge of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but of course, I am to a considerable extent, associated with him in connection with the question, and I think I can assure you on his behalf and on my own that we realise that any darstic provisions to check, diminish, or put an end io the emp oyment* of women on licensed premises may have a result far more immediately disastrous than any mischief like’y to arise ftbm’ the present system. I do not'wish to speak with two voices on this subject. I recognise that there are undesirable conditions wh'ch are ; imposed, not sought. I have lived in the world for half a century, I have not been a teetotaler, and 1.. have had my share of experience of the difficulties of emp oyment ,on licensed premises. There are vry few queer or even dark corners in London but I have not explored in search of legitimate experience, and I say there are certain places which are bad —morally and economically bad, public-houses bui’t on, wrong lines which are sources of evil and sources of danger. But that is another question. lam unable to go into the question as to how we propose to deal' with the licensing business, but I may say I am obliged to you for . coming here and stating your views with so much skill and such great fairness, and desire to assure, you that I shal 1 be ready to listen to any further representations either before or after the Bill is introduced you may have to make on the subject. The denotation then thanked Mr Gladstone and proceeded to the Caxton Hall, where a great meeting of barmaids was held to hear the favourable reply of the Home Secretary.