JUSTICE AT LAST.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8690, 16 October 1913, Page 2

JUSTICE AT LAST.

WOMEN AT PARISH MEETBNCS.

SYNOD CONCEDES MIGHT TO , VOTE.

The question of granting voting powers to women at parish meetings, came before the Anglican Church Synod again yesterday, when Mr T. W. Rowe moved:—"That- this Synod affirms the principle'that the right of voting at parish meetings should be extended to women." ,?. Mr Rowe said this was the third occasion on which he had had the privilege and pleasure of moving motions similar to the above. As the Genera] Synod did not meet till 1916, he had put his motion as an affirmative principle. It only required the conversion of three clergymen for the motion to be carried. The question was an important one affecting the status of half the membership of the Church. He considered it was a matter that should be dealt with by the laity of the district. During the past two years, a substantial majority of the laity had voted for the principle. The laity representatives were elected to represent the whole of the laity of a parish, and the women were part of the laity. The argument had been raised that women had not sufficient mental powers to exercise a vote. When he knew the mental capacity of some women he'gasped at this assertion. It had also been stated that if women were given the vote it would make the men slacker than ever in interesting themselves in church matters. Experience had, however, proved that where women possessed the vote it quickened up the men's interest. It had further been suggested that women's .place was in. the home. It could be equally suggested that man being out of the home all day should never come home. He did not think, in reply to another argument, that women would shirk any unpleasant duty they might have to perform in their administrative duties. Mr Rowe quoted passages from St. Paul which he claimed ■showed that women both prayed and preached in St. Paul's days. The argument from Biblical allusion he claimed, failed entirely. For 54 years past the [canons of the church provided for women taking their proper share m the affairs of the parish. He claimed that according to the canons, women could be elected to a vestry, and stated that though this could be done they were not allowed' to vote for the election of the vestry. Mr C. Ferrier seconded the motion. . . ■ Mr G. Mclntyre spoke briefly m support of the motion. There being no further speakers, the motion was put to the meeting, and declared carried on the voices. * _ A. division was asked for, resulting in 30 clergy and 25 laity voting for the motion, and 20 clergy and 9 laity voting against it. The voting was as follows : —Ayes: Clergy 30, Laity 25; total, 55." Noes: Clergy 20, Laity 9; total, 29. The motion was declared carried. The Rev. Messrs .1. R. Burgm, C F. Saunders (Ashburton),) and H. N. Wright (Rakaia), and Mr F. Z. D. Ferriman voted in favour of the motion. The Rev. E. C. W. Powell (Methven) voted against.