controversies, the older suffragists found time to devote much more attention than of old to their special subject. Lapsed societies were revived, new groups were founded, and the question was brought more prominently before politicians than on any previous occasion.
At the same time women were playing a conspicuous part in the organisation of the new Labour Party. Ladies like Mrs. Pankhurst, Miss Margaret McMillan, and Mrs. Glasier, the late Mrs. Enid Widdington and Miss Caroline Martin had, from the first, done great things to further the propaganda that made such a party possible. In Labour politics, then, women have been in the inner circle from the commencement. It should never be forgotten that the million Trades Unionists and others who subscribe to the funds of the party include a large proportion of women. Among the Lancashire cotton operatives, indeed, women are in a great majority; and, as pointed out by Mrs. Nash, the character of the questions recently submitted to the people has been specially calculated to increase the interest of women in politics. Even in Australia, where there is no question of food taxes, I learn from Mrs. Martel, the Australian lady, who, after aiding to win the franchise at home, is now with us battling for the emancipation of her English sisters, women form the backbone of the Free Trade Party. Victoria, where women vote only for the Federal, not for the Colonial Parliament, is the most strongly Protectionist colony; New South Wales, where they have the full franchise, is firm for Free Trade. This, by
