1913

National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies

Third Annual Report of the Oldham Society for Women's Suffrage.
Presented at the Annual Meeting November 14th, 1913,
in the Co-operative Hall, King Street

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Oldham Society for Women's Suffrage
(National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies)
Non-Party .................... Non-Militant

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President : Miss Marjory Lees
Vice Presidents: Mrs. Bodden, Dr. Olive Claydon, Mrs. Claydon, Mrs. McGowan, Rev. G.S. Osborn, Dr. Pinniger, Mrs. J.W. Taylor, Rev. A.J. Viner, Mr. G.H. Whittaker.
Executive Committee: Mrs. Clynes, Miss Dornan, Mrs. Ingham, Miss Field, Mrs. Jagger, Miss Hughes, Mrs. Osborn, Miss Sharples.
Hon. Treasurer: Miss A. Mitton, 13 Newport Street,
Hon. Secretaries: Mrs. Bridge, 82, Greengate Street, Mrs. Siddall, 53 Greengate Street.
Hon. Secretary to The Friends of Women's Suffrage Scheme: Miss Fox, 25, Osborne Road

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5.
Third Annual Report

The work has been carried on successfully during the past year, and we are glad to report that the membership is still increasing. At our last Annual Meeting, November 16th, 1912, Dr. Lucy Pinniger gave an address, which was greatly appreciated, on 'Votes for Men and Women'.

In December, we took part in a Public Debate organised by the King Street Co-operative Debating Society. Miss Helen Fraser was our speaker, and put the case for Women's Suffrage, in a very convincing manner. In December, also, the Manchester Federation organised a Week's Campaign in support of the Ammendment to the expected Reform Bill. Although, as you know, the introduction of that Bill ended in a fiasco, our campaign was a big success, and the support which we had received from all sorts of people during the campaign made our disappointment the greater. From Monday, December 9th, to Saturday December 14th, nine shops in various parts of the city were in charge of the Suffrage Societies in the Federation. Plenty of speakers, both men and women, gave willing service. Meetings were held in the shops during the day and also in the evenings. Literature was distributed, and hundreds of postcards asking M.Ps. to vote for the Amendment were signed by voters. Great interest was aroused and splendid work was done. Our Society was able to do its fair share of the work; Mrs. Councillor Lees and Mrs. Fletcher were amongst the speakers, and five other members assisted in the distribution of literature and in other ways.
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In February, three delegates attended the National Union Council Meetings held in London. This was one of the most important Council Meetings we have had. It was decided that there should be no change in the Election Policy, and that we could have nothing to do with a Private Members' Bill, which was soon to be introduced. A Government Measure was demanded, and Mr. Asquith was called upon to fulfil his pledge. In April, at a meeting of members and friends, Miss Lucy Cox, of Manchester, gave an address in the Music Room, on 'The Election Policy'. There was an interesting discussion.

It is a pleasure to report that a Public Meeting was convened in May by several local gentlemen interested in Women's Suffrage. The meeting was held in the King Street Co-operative Hall. The speaker was Lord Emmott, and Mrs. Councillor Lees was in the chair. There was a large audience. The address was a remarkably able one, and it was afterwards printed in booklet form and circulated at the expense of Mrs. Councillor Lees.

In June, the President and two other members attended the International Congress on Women's Suffrage, at Buda Pesth, Hungary.

In July the Great Pilgrimage, which was organised by the National Union, in order to tell all England why women want the vote.
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7.
Starting on Saturday, July 5th, 1913, at Manchester, many of our members walked behind our banner as far as Stockport, where a big meeting was held, and the objects of the Pilgrimage were explained. The President and seven members took part in the march, which justified itself so triumphantly. From North, South, East and West came the women making the Pilgrimage, that the country districts might see what London has so often seen, their numerical strength and their political impotence. There was no lack of interest and sympathy, as the great crowds showed, which assembled to listen to the Message the Pilgrims brought. Their appeal was not to force, but to reason, and to the hearts and consciences of men and women. It should be remembered that the Pilgrims did not undertake the journey as one more proof of their enthusiasm for enfranchisement of their sex, there was method in their marching. At every stopping place on the route there was an opportunity for them to vindicate their cause. We feel that the Pilgrimage has been of immense value. The whole country was roused, everyone talked of it, thousands of leaflets were distributed, larger meetings were held than have been known at any Parliamentary Election, the newpapers published columns about it, the working people especially supported it, and wished it good luck on all sides. Though the hooligan element prevailed in some districts, it was the result of a mistaken idea that we were not law-abiding, in fact a case of mistaken identity.

At the Demonstration which was held in Hyde Park, on Saturday, July 26th, when all the Pilgrims from all the routes reached London, six other members
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8.
took part, making fourteen from this Society. The Demonstration was an unqualified success. As column after column of the various contingents marched through the gates and took up their positions at the nineteen platforms arranged for them, the scene was most picturesque and inspiring. Each platform provided four speakers, one man and three women, and the dominating note of all the speeches was 'Freedom through the law, to co-operate in making good laws'. The President and Mrs. Fletcher did good service as speakers all along the route, and the other members assisted in many ways, collecting and distributing, one of our members heading the list of collectors on the Watling Street route. Amongst the subscribers to the Pilgrimage Funds were the President with a donation of £500, and Mrs. Councillor Lees, with one of £200. Through their kindness also, our contingent was provided with two caravans in which they were able to sleep, and also to give other Pilgrims a lift on the way, which was always so generously offered and gratefully accepted. The thanks of your Executive are tendered to these two ladies for all they so generously and so kindly did for the welfare of the Pilgrims.

A pleasing incident on our march was the kindness shown to us by Mr. Bartley Denniss, M.P., and Mrs. Denniss, who invited us to pitch the caravans in their grounds at Uxbridge, and made our stay there so delightful; and another equally pleasing was a kind invitation to tea on the terrace of the House of Commons while we were in London, from Mr. Barton, M.P.

On October 11th, in order to raise funds for the Special Effort which the Manchester Federation is
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9.
making, an Indoor Fête was held in the Music Room. During an interval in the Entertainments we had the pleasure of hearing an address from Mrs. Fawcett LL.D. Thanks are due to all who helped to make the Fête such a success, and to those who kindly sent donations and gifts to the Produce and Literature Stalls.

It is gratifying to find that the strength of our cause in this district is reflected in the friendly attitude of the Press. Special articles on Women's Suffrage have appeared throughout the year.

We hope all our members subscribe to the National Union's weekly paper, 'The Common Cause'. It is full of interesting information on all kinds of subjects concerning women, and is very useful for propaganda. One week 144 copies were posted to prominent members of the political parties; other literature has also been circulated during the year. The Friends of Women's Suffrage Scheme is still successfully worked, organised by Miss Fox, assisted by a band of helpers who visit at intervals those who have signed the cards, and leave leaflets and pamphlets; we are thus in close touch with sympathisers of our movement. We should be glad to welcome any to our meetings. 857 persons are now enrolled.

During the winter months the President lectured on 'Lands Where Women Have the Vote', and also has rendered help to other Societies as a speaker at Castle Douglas and Stranraer. Mrs. Councillor Lees has addressed meetings in Liverpool, Cardiff, Blackpool and Southend. Dr. Olive Claydon also has lectured in many parts of the town on 'The New Woman', 'The Awakening of Women' and 'By Whom is Women's Suffrage wanted, and Why?'
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10.
We are glad to report that during a Week's Campaign in Accrington, at the end of October, our Society was able to send practical help which was much appreciated.

It has been arranged to hold Monthly Meetings during the Winter for members and friends. Short papers will be read and discussed, and we hope members will do their best to make the meetings well known and successful. All Friends of Women's Suffrage are cordially invited.

You will see from the Balance Sheet that our Funds are almost depleted. It will not be necessary to do more than draw your attention to this, and to the fact that out of every member's subscription an Affiliation Fee of 3d. must be paid to the National Union, and the same amount to the Manchester and District Federation. Our plans for the future include work amongst the Trade Unions, and we are glad to report that Resolutions in support of Women's Suffrage have been passed by the Oldham Power Loom Overlookers' Association Executive and the Oldham and District Weavers, Winders', etc., Association Executive. In conclusion, we ask all our members to re-double their efforts to increase our membership, and so make the objects and aims of the Society widely known.

It may be well to remind you of some important events which have occurred during the three years work of the Society.

In the first year a canvass of women householders showed that 77% desired the Parliamentary Vote. The Town Council passed a resolution urging Parliament to grant facilities for a Women's Suffrage Bill. A petition signed by 1,826 women householders was presented to parliament asking for a measure of Women's Suffrage without delay.
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11.
We were well represented in the great procession of 50,000 women in London.

During our second year a Memorial was sent to our two members of Parliament signed by the Mayor, and most of the Aldermen, Town Councillors, Poor Law Guardians, many Justices of the Peace, Clergymen and Ministers, Leaders of Political Parties, Chairmen of the District Councils, and many of the leading Medical men of the Borough, thanking them for their support of Women's Suffrage and asking them to continue that support.

A Demonstration was held in Werneth Park, and a resolution in support of Women's Suffrage was carried at three platforms by a large crowd. When it is remembered that work of such importance is being carried on by most of the 455 Societies in the National Union and that the number of subscribing members is over 45,000, each with a share of influence, we ask ourselves what can we do next? In our work of 'Sowing the seeds of faith, feeling the facts of the future,

'Cutting the trammels of custom, bridging the gulf that divideth
The road that ye think is perfect
From the road that shall perfect be made'
(Lord Montague)

Signed on behalf of the Executive Committee,
Marjory Lees, President.

1913

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