Story: Women’s labour organisations

Tailoresses’ Union conference, 1891

Tailoresses’ Union conference, 1891

The Federated Tailoresses’ Union’s first conference was held in Christchurch in 1891. The president was J. Cleworth (centre). To his left is secretary Harriet Morison. Morison was a staunch feminist, and under her guidance the union became involved in the suffrage movement. On one occasion Morison described herself as the ‘mouthpiece’ of a large group of working women who ‘earnestly desired the franchise to be extended to them, because they felt the need of it. There were many reforms wanted amongst working women, and they would like to have a voice in the return of members to Parliament, who would look faithfully after their interest’.

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Hocken Library, University of Otago
Reference: S10-062a

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How to cite this page:

Megan Cook, 'Women’s labour organisations - The first women’s unions and associations, 1878 to 1939', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/26361/tailoresses-union-conference-1891 (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Megan Cook, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 20 Dec 2022