IRELAND AND THE FEMALE FRANCHISE.

Evening Star, Issue 7183, 11 April 1887, Page 3

IRELAND AND THE FEMALE FRANCHISE.

TO THE EDITOR, But the liberal deviseth liberal things, and by liberal thinirn shall he stand.—lsaiah, xxxii., 8. Sir,— True that in proportion to man’s ability to look into the inmost hearts of things of society, ho will come to understand that in reality what the world wants to make it better is more liberty—more liberty, not only as regards the giving of your substance to the poor, not only as regards the practice of self-denial, but also as regards liarliamentary measures. Regarding these ast, a scrupulosity—not the scrupulosity of the cautious, founded on the insight of superior ability and honest wisdom, but of self-interest, power, and pelf—has been greatly exercised in the past. Ireland has been most illiberally dealt with. At this time of day she cannot call a tolerable freedom her own. Neither can woman call the franchise hers; not in New Zealand even. Now, is this fair? Is it justice? It is not. But will she long be disabled as to this ? You should think not. So sure as Ireland'will be in possession one day of Mr Gladstone’s liberal device—the measure for Home Rule, thereby giving freedom to Ireland—just so sure will woman have the franchise in New Zealand, giving her the freedom to vote as well as man—a liberal measure, to which no doubt, in its proposal state, many objections will bo made, as are made to the Bill for Home Rule, It will be objected that if woman gets the right to vote she will be gulled by scheming candidates to get the vote from her. Through inexperience she would be rendered helpless against the wiles of the schemer. But that is just what is done for most in the case of men already. So let them have the franchise, and let them come to learn by experience, which, after all, is the best and. widest teacher. And if through this some evils should arise and no doubt some would—that is no argument to hinder thematter, fortbeevils would be much more than counterbalanced by the good. One good thing to be sure as the outcome of it would be the total suppression of the liquor traffic. That of itself should well repay society for the bestowal of the franchise upon all; and women have only to show themselves anxious, earnest in the matter and they may have it soon. “ The liberal deviseth liberal things,” and it would seem that the Liberal in the matter of the franchise is Sir Julius Vogel. In his name I would say to all women in the words of the verse of Scripture succeeding the verse quoted above: “Rise up, ye women, that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters, give ear to my speech, Arise, shine’J; win.— I am, etc., D.M, Dunedin, April 11.