Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-26
WOMEN STUDY POLITICS
ORGANIZING IN AUSTRALIA TO
MAKE USE OF FRANCHISE.
Have Declared Themselves Against
Monopoly, Against the Tariff and
in Favor Of Temperance.
From the chicago Daily News.


SYDNEY, N. 8. W., December 5.-The
women of Australia are gradually, in fact
almost rapidly, finding out what their spe-
cial mission is in the political world. That
their advent to political power would neces-
sarily lead to something new and perhaps
altogether unexpected was generally ad-
mitted, and curiosity was aroused as to
what form, II any, their particular mis-
sion would take. For the first few years
of their political NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
by the way, has not even yet been COM
pletely conceded in all the states-their
principal effort has been to educate them
selves as body in poitisal ways. And
this education is still going on-has, in
fact, only begun. But the lines on which
their influence Is to be especially felt are
gradually becoming clear. In the first
place they have very largely declared them
selves against privilege, against monopolies
of living by protective tariff, in favor of
individual liberty and therefore against So
c1alism, in favor of temperance, moral and
physical cleanliness and all that goes to
build up good national character.
They are organizing throughout the states
and their power is already great In ic-
toria, for example, they formed a women's
league two years ago, which has already
addition to which they have a national
club, consisting entirely of women, with
some 600 members. Then they have formed
an alliance with the Farrpers League and
the Citizens League, all united on one plat
form, that of opposition to socialism. And
in the other states a somewhat similar
movement is going on. The other day l
attended the annual meeting of the Wom-
en- g Political Association, at which was
very much impressed by the good sense
and practical character of the remarks
made by the different speakers.
1mpromptu Speaking.
After the president had read an interest
ing report dealing with questions affecting
women all over the world, the members
settled down to ''impromtu speeches." fol-
lowed by a guessing competition and after
noon tea. The 'impromptu speeches were
not speeches at all, such as men would
have delivered under similar circumstances,
but simply remarks evidently made on the
spur of the moment, without preparation
and in response to an appeal from the Sec
rotary who called upon the most likely
speakers by name. Each drew attention to
some definite evil arising from want of leg
islation or from lack of proper administra-
tlon or existing laws, and before the meet
ing was over resolutions had been framed
and passed calling upon the government
% to lessen infant ortality by register
ing all baby farmers % to inforce the
law prohibiting the sale of Intoxicating
liquors on Sunday and during prohibited
hours, and CD to increase the number of
truant inspectors SO to insure the at
tendance of children at school. These reso-
lutions sufficiently indicate the sort of legis-
lation which will be specially affected by
the womens vote.
Secession of West Australian
The question of whether the West Austria
nan parliament, which recently passed a
resolution in favor of secession, can give
effect to Its wish is discussed at length in
the current number of Life by Sir John
Quick, prominent member of the federal
parliament. According to him all such
menaces and Nominations are absolutely
useless, and any movement of the kind is
doomed to be imperative and to cover with
ridlcule those responsible for such i'm
potent resolutions. He quotes the memoir
able words of one of the judges of the
Supreme Court of the United States of
America, referring to the nature and char
acter of the American Constitution as IAN
lndestructible union, composed of indie
structible states" and points out that the
lnd1ssolubility of the Australian bond was
clearly and expressly affirmed in the nre
ainDle or the constitution which decla res
tnat the people have agreed to unite In
one lndlssoluble federal Constitution under
the crown and under the constitution berah,,
established. The constitution, he saws. was
dfaWn up In Australia, but it was enacted
ny the imperial parliament of Great Britain
ana consequently no amendment of the con-
sQtution, releasing any state from its mem
perSnlp or the commonwealth could he
made either by the federal parliament or nv
any state legislature. ~