FEMALE FRANCHISE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8591, 19 September 1893, Page 3

FEMALE FRANCHISE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THK PRESS. Sir, —I am not a believer in women taking part in politics, and I feel sure that the majority of them shrink back at the prospect of having votes. But as the Bill will be law in a day or two, I would respectfully urge on all heads of families to use their influence to get the womeu of their households on the rolls. The 34,000 who bave petitioned will be there right enough; and are the other 70.000 quiet, home-loving women going to allow the noisy minority alone to be heard ? It will be an evil day for New Zealand if the female agitators are alone to vote. Why, when I see some of these voluab'.e persons, whom I have the pleasure of knowing, I involuntarily bolt into the nearest shop for safety. What will happen to the State if these join their votes with the hysterical male women who desire to control this demented colony, I tremble to depict. We males have had all our work out out to keep our legisU-

tion within the bounds of anything like reason and common sense, and we have not always succeeded. Our only chance of preventing New Zealand from playing the fool before high heaven is to call in the aid of the women who would prefer to leave tbe game of politics to men. As this is no longer possible I ask all woraenly women to enroll at tha earliest opportunity. I am one who hopes to command Five Votes.