[TO THE EDITOR OE THB - Sescreroa.1
Sin,—I enclose a card I have just received from my cousin,
Mr. F. E. Garrett, formerly editor of the Cape Times. May I ask the favour of your publishing it ? If his examination
paper were submitted to the public, I should be inclined to add another question:—
(3) If .a journal of the usual level-headedness of the Spectator is reduced to the use of argument so destitute of historical basis as this about "a henpecked State," does not this illustrate the d,e-arth of sound argument against the claim of women to repre- sentation ?
New Zealand was the first of the British Colonies to grant woman's suffrage. New Zealand was also the first of the daughter-States of England to offer aid to the Mother-country during the darkest moment of the South African War. I am under the impression that the " henpecked " New Zealanders gave a very good account of themselves on many a battlefield. Their women bade them farewell and God-speed with tears and prayers, but with no shrinking from the big sacrifice involved.—I am, Sir, &c., MILLICENT GA.BRETT FAWCETT.
" (1) From the Spectator, March 19th, on woman's suffrage :--- ' If a henpecked man is universally despised, why is a henpecked State to be respected ? The proposal is one of many which always succeed until they become serious.' Illustrate these two state- ments from the history and status of the Commonwealth of Australia.
(2) From the same journal, same number, next page In this sound and effective policy of combined action between the two Free-trade parties we are glad to see from a letter by Lady Frances Balfour that the Free-trade women are leading the way.' If a henpecked State' is a State in which women vote, how would you describe a party in which women lead the way'?"
[We admit that Mrs. Fawcett and Mr. Garrett score a dialectical victory over our metaphorical illustration. At the same time, we must again express our complete impenitence on the main issue.—En. Spectator.]
Previous page
