WOMEN'S TRADES HALL AND PATERSON MEMORIAL.
[To THE EDITOR OF TICE "SPECTATOR."]
Zia,—For some years past, it has been the desire of work- ing women, and of their friends, to do two things: to provide the Women's Trade-Union League and its affiliated Societies with a suitable office and meeting-room; and at the same time to do honour to the memory of its founder, the late Emma Paterson.
The League renders inestimable service to hundreds of -women by organising societies in their several trades in order to provide, out of their own payments, help during sickness and failure of work, as well as the means of finding work. The League, in creating these organisations, has thus fostered the -spirit of self-help and of mutual help.
In this work, so admirably done, the League has, however, been long hampered by want of proper accommodation and suitable premises. It was, therefore, long ago resolved to -endeavour to raise funds which should give to the League and its affiliated Unions the means of doing its and their work without hindrance. It was felt, at the same time, that this would be the truest mode of perpetuating the memory of the noble woman who had conceived and carried out this idea of Women's Trade-Unions.
Emma Paterson's whole life was one of ceaseless service -on behalf of working women,---service guided by admirable judgment, practical ability, complete unselfishness, and tire- less devotion. She won the love and admiration of all who knew her,—of the humblest and of the highest. She died at the age of thirty-eight, literally worn out in labour for others. Space does not permit me to recount numerous other efforts,
• —the foundation and management of the Women's Printing 'Society, which told terribly on her strength; her work in the provinces, as well as in London, in addressing innumerable conferences and meetings, the expenses connected with which she met out of her own humble income. Moreover, she founded and edited for many years the Women's Union Journal.
Hitherto it has not been possible to accomplish the double object indicated at the head of this letter, because the memorial fund has not been adequate to erect the building required, on however modest a scale. Now, however, the Working Men's Club and Institute Union, which has also been for many years endeavouring to raise a fund for adequate offices, hall and club, has at last been able to purchase a site ; and is willing to allot a distinct section of its building to the Women's Trades Hall and Paterson Memorial, on condition of the latter contributing an amount which is about £500 in excess of what has been already raised up to this time.
The proposed co-partnership of two Societies having for their object to elevate the social position of the industrial classes, is all the more appropriate because Emma Paterson's first public engagement was that of secretary to the Club and Institute Union.
Will not some of the readers of the Spectator respond to this appeal P They may send their contributions to the secretary of the League, Miss Emilia Monck, 76 Eaton
Terrace, S.W.—I am, Sir, &c., HODGSON PRATT.
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