Tax Resistance.
Tax Resistance protests are multiplying throughout the land, and signs are
not wanting that the seedling planted by the Women’s Freedom League is
developing into a stalwart tree. This form of militancy appeals even to
constitutionally-minded women; and the ramifications of tax resistance now
reach far beyond the parent society and the other militant organisations,
necessitating the expenditure of great energy on the part of the officials
who work under the banner of John Hampden — the Women’s Tax Resistance League.
Mrs. [Charlotte] Despard is no longer even asked to pay her taxes; the
Edinburgh Branch of the
W.F.L.
is in almost the same happy position; Mrs. [Kate] Harvey has once more
heroically barricaded Brackenhill against the King’s officers, and Miss
[Mary] Anderson has again raised the flag of revolt in Woldingham.
Dr. [Elizabeth] Knight, with
praiseworthy regularity, refuses to pay her dog license and other taxes in
respect of a country residence; and these protests never fail to carry to
some mind, hitherto heedless, a new sense of the unconstitutional position
women are forced to occupy in a country that prides itself on being the home
of constitutional Government.
Activities of the Tax Resistance League.
Last week we had five sales in different parts of the country.
On three Tax Resisters at West
Drayton and two at Rotherfield, made their protest. Miss [Kate] Raleigh, Miss
Weir, and Miss [Margory?] Lees had a gold watch and jewellery sold on the
village green, West Drayton; speakers at the protest meeting were Mrs.
[Margaret] Kineton Parkes, Mrs. Hicks, and Miss Raleigh. Miss Koll and Miss
Hon[n]or Morten, of Rotherfield, had a silver salver and gold ring sold from
a wagonette in the village street; speakers at the protest meeting were Mrs.
[Anne] Cobden Sanderson and Mr. Reginald Pott. Miss Maud Roll presided. On
Mrs. [Myra Eleanor] Sadd Brown gave
an at home at her house when short speeches were made by the Hampstead Tax
Resisters who were to have their goods sold on
, and by Mrs. [Louisa]
Thompson Price, whose case is being further looked into by Somerset House.
There was a very good attendance and many new members were gained for the
League. On , sales took place at
Hampstead and at Croydon. Misses Collier, Mrs. Hartley, Mrs. Hicks, and
Dr. Adeline Roberts
had their goods sold at the Hampstead Drill Hall and at the protest meeting
the speakers were Miss Hicks and Mrs. [Margarete Wynne] Nevinson. The goods
of Miss [Dorinda] Neligan and Miss James were sold at Messrs. King and
Everall’s Auction Rooms, Croydon; the protest meeting was addressed by Mrs.
Kineton Parkes.
On the sale took place of a ring,
the property of Mrs. [Adeline] Cecil Chapman, President of the New
Constitutional Society, and wife of Mr. Cecil Chapman, the well-known
magistrate, at Messrs. Roche and Roche’s Auction Rooms, 68A, Battersea-rise.
Mrs. Chapman made an excellent protest in the auction room, and afterwards
presided at the protest meeting, when the speakers were Mrs. Cobden
Sanderson, Mrs. Kineton Parkes, and Mrs. Teresa Gough.
Sequel to Hastings Riot.
As a result of the disgraceful scenes at Hastings on
, Mrs. Darent Harrison
appealed to the magistrate on Tuesday. A large number of sympathisers were
present and Mrs. [Jane?] Strickland, president of the local National Union of
Women’s Suffrage Societies, spoke, and Mrs. Darent Harrison. The magistrate
said the matter was not within his province and the Watch Committee must be
referred to. We hope that the result may be adequate police protection when
the resisters hold the postponed protest meeting.
