The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1909. THE SUFFRAGETTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2576, 10 August 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1909. THE SUFFRAGETTES.

The article forwarded to the “Lyttelton Times” which we publish in another column, furnishes an aspect of the suffragette question which is not familiar to those who depend upon the cablegraphist for their information on this subject. If wo were to rely solely upon the gentlemen who represent the Australasian Press Association in London we should receive the impression that the movement for women’s franchise in England is chiefly inspired by a number of strident-lunged, illfavored, brazen females, whose'coarseness of temperament is reflected in the extraordinary acts of violence they are addicted to. It is, we suppose, necessary that cable messages should be restricted to the inore sensational happenings in connection with such a movement, but it is well that the public should understand that these are merely the outward manifestations of a great work that is being pushed quietly, but determinedly, throughout the length j and breadth of Great Britain. According to the New Zealander who writes to the “Lyttelton Times” the suffragettes are well led and well organised and their numbers growklay by day. This is gratifying to learn for it indicates that even in conservative England this bare concession to justice cannot be withheld much longer. According to Miss Panklvurst five million women in England are earning their own living. This is a strong factor making for national decadence, but its very existence strengthens the claim of women to be placed on an equal footing with men so far as voting power is concerned. It is difficult to justify the action of Miss Panklmrst and her friends in adopting violent means to keep their “cause” before the public. Slapping an unoffending policeman on the face, though possibly not a matter of much moment to that good-natured official, does not strike ns as being either necessary or dignified, and persistent interruptions of Ministerial meetings are likewise objectionable. At the same time it must be remembered that the women of England had exhausted every legitimate means before including personal violence in their fighting programme. So long as they confined themselves to speech-making, woman’s conventions, and orderly processions they were tolerated, but not heeded, by English politicians; now it, is generally conceded that, if not Mr. Asquith’s Government, some other will accede to their wishes before long. Moreover, the worst they have done so far is exceedingly mild compared with the class of protest that men have made when fighting for a political principle. It is to be hoped that English statesmen will see. their • way to grant the franchise to, women ere long, and thus terminate a strugle for political freedom which is marked by many exhibitions that are neither seemly nor edifying. In such an event the permanent result can scarcely be so dreadful as the enemies of the franchise seem to fear and, in any case, it is difficult to imagine that any greater harm can he worked upon Britain than lias already been achieved by the legislation and administration that has been imposed through the votes of men alone. At the present time, England as a nation is in a critical condition, for her political affairs are so .wretchedly mismanaged that the economic position Oi the country is alarming to all thoughtful men and women.