Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1892. THE BETRAYAL OF WOMEN.

Evening Post, Volume XLIII, Issue 134, 8 June 1892, Page 2

Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1892. THE BETRAYAL OF WOMEN.

I* will be remembered that when tho principle of Womanhood Suffrage was affirmed by tho House of Representative* town-rda tllo close of lar,r session, the Premier, who had previously been a warm advocate of the enfranchisement of woman, suddenly cooled down and urged that if thoy were to bo admitted to political privileges it should not bo until after tho noxt general election, Wo at that time protested (strongly against justice being thus deliberately withheld from the Women of the colony for a period of probably five yeara. We described Mr. Bai.UnCb'k courage on the subject as being of the Bob A ,", R . Kfl ,' f yP e ) aild oozing through the palms of his hands, under fear of tho throats of Mr. Fish. Wo Hasten to repair the injustice we did the Premier in this supposition. It was not fear of Mr. Firm whioh inado him betray tho p'auso Of woman. It was, p'erh»p3, even a leas worthy cause than natural timidity, although his action undoubtedly arose from a certain instinct of self-preservation. Reflection and «al"ulft*iDh led him to the DrobaMy Correct conclusion that tho admission of women to the franchise Would bo fatal to his own continuance in J oftioe — -that the sound common sense of women entrusted with political power would enable them to detect the fallacies and hollowncss of his polioy, the insincerity ot his political professions, and that thoy would show no toleration at tho ballot-box for either shams or fads. We have always maintained that the extension of the franchise to women would bo a Conservative rather than a Liberal reform, as the terras Conservative and Liberal are now popularly misunderstood. Mr. Ballance and his friends arrived at the same conclusion when tho question camo to an issuo, and it became within their power to offect the change they had professed to desire. To turn round openly and admit their orror thoy were afraid, aud so tho idea suggested Itself of at least saving thomsclves for as long a period as they coukl possibly expect their Party to retain office under any circumstances; by postponing over a general election ami another Pitrllarnbnt the ftrattting of that justice which wouioli had long claimed, and which the Houso had acknowledged to be their due. Wo are indebted to Mr. Hoaa, the member for Masterton — scarcely a ladies' man, but a professed advocate of thoir electoral claims — for making a clean breast of it, and letting tho colony know the secret history of tho Premier's change ol front in September last. Horo is tho story, as ho told it to his constituents on Saturday night. Wo quote from tho Wairarapa Star report of his speech :—" They " wero aware ho had always advocated, both " on the platform and through the press, the " claims of tlie ladios to tho suffrago, and "he could say that thero woro tlireo* " fourths of tho members of tljb Htjiise " determined that that suiirdgo should bo " granted at once or aftor tho next general election. Many thought it should be *| deferred until the latter period, for they " had a progressive Part/ in power, whose " measures might be frustrated were this " now doparturo made. The Conservatives " also depended chiofly upon tho ignorant " class for their support, and were the " Female Franchise granted at onco, and "' women were not educated for it. there was " a danger of tho Conservative party getting " into power. He thought therefore the '* ladies might havo to wait for two "or three years." Possibly this disolosuro will cdncate tllo future possessors of Womanhood Suffrage in a manner and direction somewhat different from that desired by Mr. Hooo and his Liberal friends. Thoy will no doubt duly appreciate tho compliment paid to thorn by their present inclusion in the " ignorant class " on whom the Conservatives depend for support. Their ignorance, however, will not debar them from fully comprehending the marvellously selfish treachory by which their dosires wero defeated in almost the moment of attainment. It has recently been very ably argned and laid down by tho organ of tho Party which does not deem the women of the colony suffioiontly educated to be admitted to the ballot-box, that the franchise should be conferred npon them because jfc is Right! Mr. Hoaa has exposed the insincerity of this contention, and shown conclusively how his Party— in furtherance of their own interests, and in order to eiiablo thorn to rotain powor which they admit would bo wrostod from thoir hands if tho voice of the majority of adults, irrespective of sex, could be givon effect to at the polls — are prepared to sacrifice all considerations of right and principle to the most completely solfish oxpodiency. None of their opponents havo over formulated a more damning indictment against them than is oinbochod in Mr. Hoao's artless confession. It is a complete exposure of a policy of consummate political duplicity.