MEETINGS IN THE SOUTH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 228, 26 September 1893, Page 5

MEETINGS IN THE SOUTH.

(BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Nelson, this day. A monster meeting of women was held in tha Theatre Royal last night. The gallery was crowded with men and tho rest of the building was crowded with womeu. The Roy. G. Bond (Wesleyan) was in tho chair and the speakers were Mrs A. S. Atkinson, Miss Crump, Mrs Tulloc, Mrs Barkor and the Revs. Ohatterton (Anglican) and T. Bray (Baptist). The meeting was most orderly and enthusiastic, the speeches being remarkably able. Mrs Atkinson wiid thoir gratitude was due to Sir J. Hall, Mr John Ballance, Sir Julius Vogel, Sir Harry Atkinson, Mr A. Saundevs, tho Hon. Oliver, and many others. Sho hoped woraon would so use their privilege and responsibility as to justify the action of the Legislature. Not many womon knew as much of politics as men, bufc they could support morality and honesty, and she though b they could do good by raising the goneral toue of tho community, and make men see it was nof necessary to bo mean and sordid, but rather to think of tho good of tho whole country. They could respect upright, honost mon, remembering they could not expect grapes from the thistle. She urged that going to the poll was no moro masculine than the Bonding of a tologram. Tho bent of the other speeches wss that tho right to voto entailed a great responsibility and that it should bo directed to moral, social, and religious advancement. Mr Chabterton said thob tho objectors to women's franchise asserted thab women would be influenced by fads, faces, and feelings, and urged thab women should show that thoso who imagined this were wrong. Votes of thanks were accorded to those who had aided bo secure women's franchise, and aftor singing tho National Anthem many remained to signs claims for registration. During the meoting a toloyram offering congratulations was received from the Chrisfcchurch meeting.

ChristchurCH, this day,

A groab thanksgiving meeting and gathering for the enrolment of women waa hold by tho W.C.T.U. last night. Heavy rain fell, tho attendance being about 400. A motion was passed: "(.i) That this mooting regards tho enfranchisement of women" as calling for tho expression of gratitude to the Divine ruler of events, and recognises tlio sulirago as a sacrod trusc to bo prayerfully exercised for tlio advancement of evory righteous cause; (2) the mooting accords Sir John Hall, Mossrs Saunders, Oliver, Downie Stewart, Dr. Pollen anil othor sincoro workers for tho enfranchisement of women, its appreciation of their valuable services, and heartily congratulates Sir John Hall on having soen tho reform carried beforo his retirement from political life. It was reported at tho meeting that claims for tho enrolment on behalf of 650 women had been received during tho afternoon and evening.

Oamatil', this day.

A public moeting was held last night principally for the purposo of enrolling women. There was a good attendance, notwithstanding that tho night was inclement. Speeches were delivered, and over 120 women enrolled. A complete canvass of tho district ia to be raado.