WOMEN’S RIGHT TO VOTE

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27149, 19 September 1953, Page 2

WOMEN’S RIGHT TO VOTE

60TH ANNIVERSARY IN N.Z. The sixtieth anniversary of the granting of women’s franchise in New Zealand falls today. On September 19, 1893, the Earl of Glasgow, then Governor of New Zealand, signed a bill that, after years of delay, had passed both Houses of Parliament. The passing of the bill was the culmination of years of hard work, disappointments, and delays, during which enthusiastic and courageous women, notably members of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, continued to agitate for the right to vote. Several prominent men in New Zealand were believers in women's franchise, and helped the movement considerably.

The first public appeal for franchise was made in 1869 by Mrs Muller, wife of a doctor in Nelson, whose articles advocating votes for women were published under a nom-de-plume—her hus- | band was opposed to her views. The agitation was revived about 1875. andi in the next 10 years the Women’s Fran-, chise Bill was introduced in Parliament eight times, and eight times it was either shelved or rejected. The first bill was introduced by Dr. James Wallis, of Auckland. It found favour neither with the Premier (Sir George Grey) nor with many of the members. Strong supporters of the women's cause were Sir John Hall and Mr Alfred Saunders, both of Canterbury, Sir William Fox and Sir Robert Stout. When the bill was passed, Mr R. J. Seddon was Premier. He had assumed office only a few months earlier—on May 1, 1893. New Zealand was the second country to obtain women’s franchise and the first in the British Empire. The privilege had earlier been granted to the women of Finland.

The right to enter Parliament was not won till 1919. and 14 years later the late Mrs Elizabeth McCombs, of Christchurch, was elected the first women member of the House of Representatives.

LEAGUE OF MOTHERS

DOMINION COUNCIL HOLDS AFTERNOON PARTY In lovely surroundings, among gay forsythia, rhododendrons and spring blossom in full bloom in the Botanic Gardens yesterday the Dominion council of the League of Mothers, which has been in Christchurch for the annual conference of the league, entertained the president (Mrs W. Grant) and members of the Canterbury executive at afternoon tea. Nearly 50 guests were welcomed by the Dominion president (Mrs Montgomery Spencer), who expressed deep appreciation of the hospitality and friendliness of the Canterbury executive to all the delegates. She particularly mentioned Mrs Grant and the members who had arranged the morning and afternoon teas and lunches for the delegates. She remarked on the extraordinary growth of the league in Canterbury in the few years since she and Mrs Ward, of Wellington, had come to Christchurch to form the first branch, and said she realised that such great progress could not have been achieved without much hard work by the executive and members. For members of the Dominion council, she presented Mrs Grant with a white cyclamen plant. Mrs Grant, in acknowledging the gift, said her executive and members had greatly enjoyed the conference—the first of the league to be held In Christchurch—and she felt that it would give impetus to the movement in Canterbury. Mrs A.. English (Auckland) a former Dominion president, who now attends to the Maori branches and to members in scattered districts, and Mrs H. H. Cornish (immediate past president and now Dominion organiser) thanked the Canterbury executive for its hospitality and wished it continued expansion. Other speakers were Mrs! H. V. Jerred (Auckland), Mrs W. A. Gordon (Wellington), Mrs J. W. Armstrong (Otago), Mrs R. K. Pacey (Taranaki).

ENGAGEMENTS

(Engagements Notices must be signed by both parties.) Mr and Mrs C. Henderson, of Dunedin, announce the engagement of their younger daughter, Jean Audrey, to Wilfred Livingstone, younger son of Mr and Mrs C. W. F. Dodge, of Christchurch. The engagement is announced of Elizabeth Mary Woodhouse, daughter of Mr and Mrs H. Woodhouse, of Christchurch, to Jack Avon Carl Beaumont, youngest son of Mr and Mrs J. W. Beaumont, of Motunau Beach. The engagement is announced of Lois Marjory, younger daughter of Captain C. Sutherland and the late Mrs B. Sutherland, of Lyttelton, to Robin John, only son of Mr and Mrs J. H. Wilson, Shirley. The engagement is announced of Zair, only son of Mr and Mrs G. Hurrell, of Tuam street, Linwood, to Noreen, only daughter of Mrs L. Hitchens and the late Mr L. N. Hitchens, of Carnarvon street, Christchurch. Mr and Mrs E. W. Chadwick, 396 Hereford street, Christchurch, have pleasure in announcing the engagement of their eldest daughter, Phyllis, to Derek, second son of Mr and Mrs A. Fenwick, “The Terraces,” Seddon, Marlborough. Mr and Mrs T. F. O’Connor, Addington, announce the engagement of their eldest daughter. Elizabeth Ellen, to James David, only son of Mr and Mrs J. J. Brown, Spreydon. Mr and Mrs B. T. Stanley, 16 Sylvester street, Woolston, have much pleasure in announcing the engagement of their younger daughter, Rita Beryl, to William Fergus, youngest son of Mr and Mrs S. W. Tie, 15 Hillier street, Spreydon. The engagement is announced of Rosemary Hope Johnston, daughter of Mr J. H. and the late Mrs Johnston, of Palmerston North, to Harold Earle Riddiford. of Wellington, son of Mrs H. F. Nieoll, of Christchurch, and the late Mr F. E. Riddiford. Mr and Mrs C. Habgood, St. Albans, announce the engagement of their only daughter, Anne Elizabeth, to John William, elder son of Mr and Mrs H. W. Bell, St Albans. Mr and Mrs C. H. S. Hill, of Mount Albert Auckland, announce the engagement of their only daughter, Meryl Burniston, to Gordon Frederick (Joe), only son of Mrs G. B. Chinnery and the late Mr G. B. Chinnery, St. Heliers Bay, Auckland. Mr and Mrs Leslie A. Schluter, of Dudley road, Mission Bay, Auckland, announce the engagement of their elder

daughter. Doreen Lesley, to Victor Alan, only son of Mr and Mrs V. G. Jones; Courtville Flats, Auckland. The engagement is announced of Helen Joan, younger daughter of the late Mr A. L. Wright, and Mrs K. Wright, of Cranebrook. New South Wales, to Mervyn Arnold, second son of Mr and Mrs G. Eder, of Dobson, Westland.