THE AUCKLAND WOMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 223, 20 September 1893, Page 5

THE AUCKLAND WOMEN.

ENROLLING FEMALE VOTEPvS,

Judging from the large numbers of applications made yesterday and to-day to the Registrar of Electors for forms of enrolment as electors, the women of Auckland aro waking up to tho knowledge that they have at last obtained the franchise. A great number of printod forms wero handed over to applicants at tho Registrar's office this rooming, in order that they might be returned to tho Registrar duly tilled in from womon desirous ot having their names placed on tho electoral roll. A number of women were enrolled to-day, and in a few days it is expected that hundreds of women- will have had their names duly registered. There aro approximately about six thousand women over twentyone years of age in Auckland city. There aro some eight thousand voters on the Auckland city electoral roll. Accordingly, should most of the women enrol themselves as electors—as it is now the bounden duty of all to do— there should bo closo on thirteen or fourteen thousand voters in this district by the time of the next election. Tho enrolling of so many women will entail a great deal of extra work on tho Registrar of Electors (Mr J. Halyday), and no doubt additional clerical assistance will be found to bo required. The printed forms of claims for enrolment now issued in view of tho enfranchisement of women make no reforonco to ccx. Tho declaration, which is precisoly tho same as that made by male electors, is as follows :—" My name, placo of abode, and occupation or addition aro correctly stated ab the foot hereof, and tho signature there appearing is my own poper signature. My age is nob under twenty-one years. lam a British subject by birth or by virture of naturalisation in New Zealand ; (or if a Maori or lialf-easte), I am a Maori or halfcaste aboriginal native of Now Zealand. 1 claim in respect of residence, as I have resided within the colony of ISow Zealand for twelve months, and within the said district for three months immediately pre- ' coding tho date hereof." Many ladies will, no doubt, be relioved to loam that there is no necessity to state their age in the declaration, other than that they aro over twonty-one yearß of age. Possibly " sweob seventeen" will be no longer a cause of boasting', for it is more likely that "sweet twenty-one "will take its place as the most desirable stago in the existence of the fair sex. Tho new forms issued by tho Government fov tho enrolment of womon should be applied for at the Registrar's Office in Auckland as soon as possible, and when filled in and properly witnessed may bo forwarded by post to the Registrar. It is desirable that all claims should bo sent in forthwith to facilitate the work of enrolment. A meeting of the Auckland Women's Franchise Leaguo was proceeding this afternoon at the Y.M.U.A. Rooms, in order to tako steps to forward the onrolment of women voters in this district.

At the commencement of an address at tho Auckland Tabernacle soiree and public meeting last night, the Rev. G. B. Monro referred to the granting of tho franchise to women, He said that it would have the ofiesfc of raising the character of their representatives, which wanted raising. Another result of tho granting of the franchise would be that every Catholic woman would bo onrolled, and her vote utilisod for an assault on tho national public school system, and the introduction of deuominationalism in the school system. While believing in the Bible in schools, ho did not wish to sco such a state of ali'airs as that, and he hoped that tho l'rotestanb women would register and give a solid vote againsb evory attempt to undermine tho education system of the colony. TELEGRAM FROM THE PREMIER. Yosterday the President of tho Auckland Women's Franchise League (Sirs Daldy) received tho following telegram from the Premier:—" Tho Electoral Bill was assented to by His Excelloncy tho Governor at a quarter to twelve this morning. I trust now that all will admit tho sincerity of the Government in this very important matter. Your confidence in me has not been misplaced, Assuranc33 have been faithfully kept, and 1 brush now that this groat power is given to the women of Now Zealand that they will wie'.d the same for the benefit of all. Boat wishes.—X. J. Seddon, Wellington."