The Washington times., 1918-09-05
CANADIAN WOMAN
LEGISLATOR IN n. Y.

NEW YORK, Sept. 6-The distinction
Of plotting a minimum wage bill through
the legislature of British Columbia fell
to the lot OF Mrs. Ralph Smith. the only
woman member of that body. Mrs.
Smith Is now in New York. at the Wal
dorf-ATtoria- She explained the cir
cumstances which caused her to become
a member of the legislature.
"A year and a half ago women were
granted the suffrage in British Column
bia," she said. Mine months later
was elected to the legislature. Ny hus-
band had heen IN the federal house and
1t was the sentiment after he died that
/ should take bis seat
81 was strongly interested IN the
minimum wage. and when / decided to
carry out my belief in action the min
lister Of labor introduced the bill and
he handed 1t to me to pilot through the
legislature. 1t was said at the time
that 1t was the first occasion on which
bill passed in our legislature had a
father and a mother.
The Returned Soldier Problem
The platform on which 1 ran called
for the minimum wage and pensions for
mothers and proportional representa-
ton. I also took q stand on the re-
turned soldier problem and said that i
would do everything could for the re-
turned soldier. was glad that the
minimum wage bill went through and IL
was due in the main to the broad
mindedness OF the men in the legisla-
ture, who were willing to concede the
necessity Of a living wage"
Speaking Of the problem Of the re-
turned soldier, Mrs. Smith said that
1000 soldiers had been returned to Brit
ish Columbia as being unfit for further
service out of a total OF about 10000 or
5000 sent overseas, not counting those
in training.
'Our wounded men who return. to a
great extent, do not or cannot engage
in the same work they did before they
left for overseas" she said. They
return with different ideas about what
hey want to do. They should be given
an opportunity 10 branch out and do
what they like as far as possible. do
not want to see square pegs in round
holes.
However, I am sure that the ques-
ton of the returned soldier will be
solved to the satisfaction OF both the
soldier and the country. Many, of
course, are glad to go to the land. 9th
ers desire and are given the opportu-
nifty to study horticulture, bee study.
and other subjects related to agricul- |
tural life. There are short-term courses |
At the universities In many subjects, |
and we are doing our best to place |
hem
Canada is proud Of the part that
he United States has taken in the
war. When we remember that in a |
short space of time 500 900 OF your |
boys have gone overseas and as many |
more will follow. II must gladden. the |
hearts Of the people in all the allied |
nations. The day has now come in |
he history of the United States and |
canada when the two countries can
,ome closer together. We have many |
problems that are similar and yet the
wo countries are so different /
VIII Weld Peoples Together.
"The suffering and the sacrifices in
he two countries will help to weld to-
,ether the two peoples In such a man
Ter that the future will never sepa-
ate them in their ideals and aspira-
ions"
In her short visit here Mrs. Smith
aid she observed that, as in Canada,
here is no avenue OF work that Amer
can women are unwilling to engage
n when the call comes.
One article in Mrs. Smiths creed is
hat men and women should receive
quail pay for equal work This was
art OF her active campaign. and she
Emphasized the equal pay idea be-
ause of the fact that II would be in