Mrs. Pinsent and Woman Suffrage: Sir, — Surely it cannot be correct, as reported by the “Mail,” that Councillor Mrs. Hume-Pinsent is presiding at an anti-suffrage meeting, and that she is opposed to votes for women. Where is the consistency? Is it possible that in her opinion women may vote for councillors but are not able use the Parliamentary vote properly? Though most progressive women know her valuable work in regard to the care of the feeble-minded (she is acknowledged expert), it will be a terrible shock to know that she is a reactionary on woman suffrage. That she will be bitterly opposed at her next election should this be true is a certainty. How could she deny that the woman’s point of view is as badly wanted in making laws as in administering them? — Yours, etc., J. F. D.—-
Sir, reference the announcement of the above in your columns Saturday, I beg to inform you that Mrs. Hume Pinsent has reconsidered her decision to take the chair, she thinks that in doing so at our request might mislead the public as to her attitude upon the controversial question of women’s suffrage. I should, however, like make it clear that my committee approached Mrs. Hume Pinsent in the first place because her public position and abilities clearly indicate her as best fitted to preside, and in the second place because we knew that she had always consistently refused to take either side upon the suffrage question and had absolutely declined repeated invitations from both parties join their ranks. In justice to my committee, may I finally add that we are simply taking the initiative summoning the conference, and we naturally wished to secure a chairman before the preliminary announcement of the meeting, but the arrangements, the resolutions be submitted to the meeting, and the whole of the details are to be left to the committee which will be formed by each society taking part the conference nominating a delegate for that purpose. Had our circular to the various societies which have the interests of women at heart been published in full, no possible misunderstanding could have arisen. — Yours, etc., Maria Laxin-Smith, Chairman: … …
(Also) … … Birmingham Education Committee: Election of Chairman: … … In regard to the appointment of the various subcommittees, the Chairman moved the appointment of a special sub-committee, to consider the number of seats for each sub-committee and recommend the names of members who would serve thereon. This was agreed to, the following were appointed to serve on the special committee Alderman H. J. Sayer, Mrs. Pinsent, Mr. Norman Chamberlain, Mr. Bethune Baker, Mr. Cary Gilson. Professor Heath, Alderman A. H. James, Mr. T. 0. Sayer, Mr. Freeland, Mr. Shann, Alderman Blackham.
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0245 Devonport: Ellen Frances Parker: 1866 – 1949