WOMAN SUFFRAGE IN INDIA.

White Ribbon, Volume 25, Issue 294, 18 December 1919, Page 7

WOMAN SUFFRAGE IN INDIA.

(To the Editor.)

Dear Madam, It has been brought to my knowledge that steps are being taken bv some thinking women in Sydney to unite in eeking direct communication between the women of Australasia and the women of India. It is recognised bv all who have studied the trend of events in India during the last few veats that the present strong desire for a measure of Indian Home Rule (including on all sides a united claim for an equally qualified Indian women voters) is the culmination of movements and emotions destined to exert the strongest influence on the future of the British Empire in the East, and on the welfare of India, foi good or evil, as the action to-day of Imperial authority in London shall decide. It has been suggested that .» cable fr°m one or more national bodies of New Zealand women to M* Montague, Secretary «»f State foi India, urging the inclusion uf Indian women in the Home Rule Bill, would evince at once a loval desire for the consolidation of our F.m pire on he highest and noblest plane, and for the best interests of our Indian sisters. That these interests would work out for the common weal of India and tin* Indian Government no one can doubt who reads the \\o men’v Press at Home, and sees what work has been alrcadv achieved, under great disadvantage, by the waking women of India, such as Mis Sarijinl Naidu, the leading young women of ihe I'nivtl'v.ities, and Mis* C ornelia Sorabji. No greatei earnest for last ing r peace between East and West can be given than the uplift of Oriental women and achieved solidarity between them and the women of the West, on the ground of common good works. It seems to me that an expression on the Indian Suffrage from our New Zealand W'.C.T.C. would be timely and wise, if the matter is yet hefort the He use of Parliament w hen these words are read. The great issue chat fills all our hopes a % I write forbids more lengthy discussion now. I am, etc., JESSIE MACKAY. Christchurch, December 3, iqiq.