The White Ribbon: FOR GOD AND HOME AND HUMANITY Saturday, September 15 1900. No Interest in Politics.

White Ribbon, Volume 6, Issue 64, 1 September 1900, Page 6

The White Ribbon: FOR GOD AND HOME AND HUMANITY Saturday, September 15 1900. No Interest in Politics.

There are many otherwise excellent women w ho pride themselves on not being political women, There are even women in the W.C.T.U. who think more highly of themselves because they care nothing for politics “ W e leave these matters to the men,” they say, with an air of self-approbation. They forget that the world has to be won for the Christ, that they themselves are to be known by their fruits, that the wrapping of the talent in a napkin received severe condemnation. livery woman in this colony has one talent her vote. This talent is to be wisely and profitably used. It cannot be so used unless she takes an intelligent interest in politics. Every department of public and private life is affected by our politics. Our morals, health, income, education, and, indeed, every phase of our daily life, is made better or worse by the ac ions or short* comings of our representatives in Pariament. To be indifferent to the com c of public events is to be unworthy custodians of our talent, and to speak with satisfaction of our indifference is to boast of our shame. At the present moment there are three subjects of pressing importance to every woman with a heart. The Stoke enquiry has emphasis* d the need for such a reform as that advocated by the Canterbury Women’s Institute and mentioned in our last issue. The proposal to break faith with tbe Maoris and institute licenses in the King Country calls for quick and de cisive action. W’e hope to hear that the Maori department of our Union is hard at work, and are sure that * members will find whatever funds are required. But besides providing money»

each Union can bring pressure to bear on the Government and on the member for the district. Then there is still good reason for believing that Ministers are pledged to alter the licensing laws in favour of the li<]uor interest. A Christchurch publican told a friend of ours that they would most likely get a nine years’ license, but were certain to get a six years’ one. Are we to stand idly by and allow this retrograde step to be taken? There are, besides, many other matters which call for our watchfulness and action. Hut these three questions alone are sufficient to show that if we complacently say that we have “ no interest in politics ” we shall really be aiding and abetting the forces of evil.