WOMEN'S FRANCHISE.

Evening Star, Issue 8565, 11 July 1891, Page 1 (Supplement)

WOMEN'S FRANCHISE.

A publio meeting was held In the Choral Sail last night to consider the question of women's franchise. There was a very large Attendance, the hall being crowded in every part The utmost enthusiasm prevailed, and many stood throughout the evening rather than return to their homes on finding that all the seating accommodation was occupied. The chair was taken by Mrs Thomas Dick, and there were also on the platform Mesdames Reynolds, W. D. Stewart, Misses Brownlie, In tool, and Morrison, Sir Robert Stout, the Hon. T, Diok, Revs. R. Waddell, E. Walker, W. Ready, A. H. Wallace, 3. Gibb, Btessrs A. C. B?gg, James Allen, A. BAthgate, A. Lee Smith, P. R. Chapman, W. M. Bolt, L. Beer, and H Rodda. : Mrs Diok explained that the object of the ' meeting was to speak a little on the question <of the franchise being extended to women—- » matter which the women had longed for and desired for many, many days, but they now hoped there would be some fulfilment of their desires very shortly.—(Hear, hear.) They thought that when every man—no matter what he was—who had been six months in the colony was qualified to vote, * similar privilege should be extended to the women, and that they should take an equal stand with man. They did not like to be f «lassed with criminals, lunatics, and infants, of whom had a prospect of voting, for the criminal might regain his freedom, the lunatio hia reason, and in time, of course, the infant would come to majority, and would have a vote to say who would be his representative in Parliament.—(Applause.) It was time the women were patting in a word to say who should govern them. No matter how good, kind, and philanthropic a woman might be, she was a woman, and that, as things now stood, put her beyond the possibility of giving a vote. It was time she escaped from such bondage.—(Hear, hear.) The emancipation of woman was gaining ground every day : it was making its way in great stride?. At present woman was protected by law in a way she never was before. Educational institutes were thrown open to her, and in entering the arena and competing with her brother, she made no mean stand against him, and actually succeeded in carrying off some of the best prizes.—(Applause.) Some said that women did not want the franchise. She very decidedly and distinctly said that women did want the franchise. (Applause.) It was said, further, that a great deal of trouble and quarrelling would be caused in households if the franchise were extended to women. Man with man spoke of politics and agreed to differ, and why should trouble be caused in households If women also possessed the franchise. Then, it was said that the next thing that women would ask for would be a seat in the House of Representatives. She was quite sure that those who said this were mistaken. She had been present at sitting! of the House of Representatives and had eoj >yed some of the speeches, which had filled her with admiration, bat she had listened to others that were, oh ! so dreary; and when she had asked those who were initiated what the speakers were talking about she was told that they were talking against time.— (Laughter.) Well, they knew women could not do that.—(Laughter and applause.) Women did not like to speak much, but they liked to speak to the point and to the purpose,—(Hear, hear.) They felt that their case had now been taken up by good men and true, who would nee that the right should prevail.—(Applause.) The Sicretakt (Miss Nicol) read communications from Sir John Hall, Dr Hislop, Rev. J. T. Hinton, and Mr Kitchen, all of whom wished the meeting success. She stated that as the result of a canvass made of the women of Dunedin for signatures to a petition in favor of the extension of the franchise, it was found that the women were very much alive to the need of the privilege. Sir Roiißi Stoci said : Mrs Dick, ladies and gentlemen, 1 have another appointment to keep, and therefore I do not intend to move a resolution, but simply to say a few words to you. I may say lam exceedingly pleased to see this question oausing some intarest in Dunedin. It is, I think, past what it is said every great social reform passes through—that is, the laughing moment. Whenever anything new is proposed it is generally laughed at; and I can remember perfectly well twenty years ago putting the question to the late Mr Bathgate whether he was in favor of the female franchise, and it was thought not a serious question at all then. . This state is past, and I have no doubt that although the Bill may not pass this session, yet its success is assured.— (Applause.) I want to say one or two words to you as to why I have been for more than twenty years in favor of female franchise. First, I believe you cannot get any great social reform in our midst without thehelp of the women.—(Applause.) If we had the women's franchise in Dunedin at present we would have made far greater strides in the licensing question—(applause)—and would also keep strong our present educational system. Further, I believe that if we had women's ibfluence and women's votes in all our political questions, we would have a higher moral standard for our politics and for our politicians.—(Applause.) I therefore believe that, instead of the women's voteß being cast for the Conservative side, as somw people imagine, it will be found that the women will do what they have done in other countries when great political questions were raised before them, as in the time of tho French Revolution—they will be just as jUdical as the men.—(Applause.) I hope that if it is found by theme who support the female franchise in the present House that they are not able to carry the Bill in its entirety, they will not refuse to take what they can get.—(Applause.) That is always good advice to follow on political questions, and I hope that they will begin by passing a measure that will give women an equal vote with men in educational questions and licensing questions to start with. —(Applause.) If tried on these two questions the House of Representatives and the Legislative Council will both see that the women can be trusted with far larger questions which have to be decided triennially at the polls.—(Applause ) One of the resolutions to be submitted will, I understand, urge that the female franohise should be granted under the present Electoral Bill. 1 think that shonld be attempted, but if it does not succeed I hope a separate Bill will be brought in and fought on the direct issue.—(Applause.) I have to thank the ladies who invited me to be present, and I have only further to say that I hope that the battle which has now begun will end as such a battle should end—in complete victory— (Applause ) Miss H. R Moewsojt moved—"That the women of this colony desire and are entitled to have an equal voice with men in the settlement of soc<al and politloalquestions in the community." One of the strongest arguments, she was told, that members of the House had against the extension of the franohise to women was that women did not desire it. She would like to disabuse the minds of the hon. gentlemen in the House on that point. She was the mouthpiece that night of a very large number of working women—(applause)—and she said that they earnestly desired the franchise to be extended to them, because they felt the need of it. There were many reforms wanted amongst working women, and they would like to have a voice in the return of memberß to Parliament, who would look faithfully after their interests.— (Applause.) Another reason that was nrged against the franohise being extended to women was that if they got it they wonld abuse it, as they were so impressionable and easily carried away ; but there was no force in tbat argument at all. If women got the franchise they would insist on the members who were returned to the House being of pare moral character —(applause)—and if such men w«e returned we would have pure | and good laws. Another reason urged against the women getting the franohise was that it would lead to Conservatism, and that women wonld vote for the Tory candidates. —(Laughter.) Well, she had a large experience amongst women, and she believedthat they were broad and liberal in their views, and wonld only vote for those candidates who were pure in their lives and conduct.— (Applause) Mr Jamb Allen said it was with extreme pleasure that he seconded the motion which had been so ably put before them by Miss Morrison, and he could reiterate that the one argument, and the only one

ht «v«r kniw of «y«r ralswl in tike Home, daring his time there, At any rate against the female franchise, was this: that the women did not desire it. A fall answer to that was given that evening. The presence of so many women, supporters of the Women's franchise, and Miss Morrison's Bpeeoh, in which she detailed what the women in Dunedin desired on this question, was a complete answer to that one foolish argument taised against the women's franchise. Ample evidence was now given that the women in Dunedin at any rate did desire it. Surely it could not be denied that it was justice and justice only that women were asking for—(applause)—and he had heard no sound arguments against the justice of woman's claim to vote upon Bocial and political questions.—(Applause.) There was one other argument Hgainflt the extension of the franchise to women besides that of desire —namely, the argument of expediency. That, however, was completely shallow, and could not for a moment be npbeld. Why should men be allowed to vote upon social and political questions and women not? Were they not both equally interested ? nay, was not woman more interested in social questions than man ? He ventured to think that experience would show that women were more interested, and more apt to learn and see what was the outoome of social questions, than men were. If an appeal were made to reason, in reason women were the equals of men in these days of extended education. But apart from reason altogether, woman appeared to him to possess the faculty of instinct and intuition that no man possessed in an equal degree ; and he believed it would lead her to do what was right socially and politically more often than a man's reason would. He contended that a woman was entitled to a political vote as much as a man was in overy sense. Consider What the position in New Zealand was. Take the case of a young woman. Her education was about equal to that of the average boy. And could anyone Bay that in the public Bohools of the colouy the girls were not equal in mental capacity to the laria? In many cases, indeed, they outstripped the lads, and their education was ended just as far as an ordinary lad's was carried. But why was it that they were denied to vote upon social and political questions when a vote was given to men? The only reason that he knew of was that the one wore petticoats and the other trousers.—(Laughter.) He concluded by stating that he had no hesitation in saying that when the franchise was granted to women—as it would undoubtedly be—that this town would be purer and nobler from the fact that they had a part in legislation. And that was the reason he was happy to support the resolution.—(Applause.)

Mr A. Bathoatb urged that deputations should wait on the members of the House who objected to the granting of the franchise, and they would soon convince them that a desire for the privilege did exist. He had heard it said that a woman's duty was to her husband and her children, and that Bhe should not '".ldle with politics. He quite agreed with ine first part of that statement; but how about those women—of whom there were a large number—who unfortunately—or should he say fortunately ? —were not troubled with a husband and children ?—(Laughter.) He for one did not believe that women would make worse wives or mothers because they had the right to record their votes on political questions. As regarded the argument that it would produce domestic discord to give the franchise to women, he eontended tbat there was nothing in it. Women had feelings and influence although they had no votes, and if their feelings did not find a legitimate outlet, as they ought to do in the ballot box, they would probably try and influence their male "belongings" by resorting to the broomstick to enforce their arguments.— (Laughter.) The speaker concluded by saying that he believed women were entitled in justice to have the franchise extended to them, and by calling on all, in the name of justice, to support the resolution. The motion was then put to the meeting, and carried unaiiimously. Mrs W. Downib Stkwabt moved, without comment—" That the time is now ripe for extending the eleotoral franchise to women, and that the Government should insist on its incorporation in the Electoral Bill now before the House."

Mr F. R Chaman, in seconding the motion, said that he had much pleasure in addressing bo large and enthusiastic a publio meeting as that before him now in support of the resolution which had just bsen moved. The sentiment that had been expressed by ladies of rank and fashion a hundred years ago, when they regretted that girls were taught to read and write, was only on a par with sentiments which might be heard at the present day.—(Hear, hear.) They heard it said that there was too much education; that this free education system of the colony led to all their boys wanting to be olerks and their girls to be governesses and teachers. They had had their educational syßtem in foroe for a good many years now, and people who began their school days when general education came into force—not to go baok to the days of the provincial eduoation system- -were not only growing up, but were grown up and beginning to take their part in publicaffairs. It became their duty to consider what reason could be shown for a difference in the rights that one or the other of the sexes should exercise—for one expected to see that from the moment the franchise was extended to women they would see it settled as to bow far women are to be permitted to take part with men. (Applause ) The common question in argument was: Were the women to be permitted to join such profession as the legal profession ? His answer to that was, so far as he was concerned, he was ready to welcome thom to-morrow. — (Applause.) If they could succeed in it so much the better. If they looked back they might find in books many arguments against the franchise of women, among which was the one that women were not possessed of souls—(laughter)—perhaps if they had been written by women a different state of things might have prevailed. They would find that where women had been allowed equal educational advantages with men, and had been allowed the chance of competing with men, they had generally shown a fair capaolty for coming to the front. In reference to this a better illustration could not be found than that which prevails In the public schools of New Zealand. The girls had in no sense given way to the boys ; and so slbo in the secondary sohools and in the university. He held that it was entirely incumbent upon those who said that women were not entitled to the franchise to prove their case Were men at all times, he asked, fitted for the franchise? With regard to a remark made by Miss Morrison, the speaker said that if the women were just and if the women were honest he eared not one straw whether they were Liberal or Con' servative.—(Applause.) What was wanted in politics was honesty, and if they brought that into politics they would shape themselves into justice.—(Loud applause.) The resolution was then put and oarried unanimously. Mrs Reynolds said that on her devolved the pleasant duty of moving a vote of thanks to those members who had so wisely and well advocated the woman's franchise in Parliament. They had expressed their belief that women were both mentally and morally qualified to exercise the franohise. They had proclaimed aloud their sense of the injustice under which women had struggled for centuries past; and they had almost exhausted every argument in favor of the extension of the franchise Bave one, and that she regarded as the greatest, deepest, and most far-reaching of all. That argument was that woman had a right to equality with man in the very natnre of things; and this was provided for in the first and oldest constitution about wbioh anything was known. It was, she believed, through a misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the fall of man that women bad suffered such injustice. When the forbidden fruit was eaten in Paradise, the ourse was not pronounced on the woman—it was pronounced on the man; the promise was given to the woman, and not to the man; and it was the man alone who was turned out of the garden.—(Laughter and applause.) It was no laughing matter. The speaker thought that very few people would in future say that woman had no right to equality with man, and she trusted that a great many would be sufficiently noble to admit that woman had a right not only to be regarded as man's equal, nut even as his superior. She moved—" That this meeting > tendon its thankg to all the members of the

Parliament of New Zealand who have advo r oated the conferring of the franchise on women."—(Applause.) The Rev. Rutherford Waddell said he had very great pleasure in seconding the resolution they had heard. He did not think it was necessary for him to add anything much to what had been said by the other speakers. He was exceedingly glad to see so large an audience. He was glad to be at that meeting, and the only one he would have attended with greater pleasure would have been one in opposition to this franchise. He was anxious to find out what were the grounds of opposition to the franchise being granted to women. So far as he could see the arguments that were advanced in opposition to this movement were utterly futile, and were wanting singularly in lucidity, in logic, and in sense of justice. He had seen it stated that women were not competent to exercise the franchise. Were the mon all competent? That argument was a relic of the old barbaric theory that when a man and woman were married they became one, and the man was that one.—(Laughter.) It was a relic of the old barbaric theory that woman was lesser than man, and wa? not to be counted as a unit in oitiasnship. He believed that, take them all in all, they would find as much intelligence and common sense, and certainly as much of the qualities whioh were essential in politics, amongst women as amongst men. —(Applause.) The only argument that was really worthy of serious consideration was, he thought, that of Herbert Spencer : that the extension of the franchise would introduce the principles of the family too much into politics; but that, the speaker thought, was what was wanted. He was quite satisfied that the maternal theory ot government was better than the policeman theory, and be was satisfied that something more was requisite in a politician than mere brains. A politician should have sympathy and honesty, and also a singular regard for the weak and the young, and he thought those were qualities that especially distinguished women; and he believed that they would never have fair and true laws for women and children until they got women in the House of Representatives. There were measures that came before the House on which the judgment of women ranked far higher than the judgment of men, and he trusted that before he died he would see the day when not only should women possess a vote, but men should have the privilege of voting for women as their representatives. — (Hear, hear,) As to the argument that the extension of the franohise would introduce discord into the houses, he did not know on what grounds it was based, and in any case it was no reason, beoanse a few might abuse the franchise, why all should be denied the privilege. The sooner, he maintained, they recognised the great principle of no politics no sex, the sooner they reoognised the principle that as personalities, as individuals, the women shared the responsibilities for the welfare of the State, tho better it would be for them and the quicker would be their advance to the condition of the Paradisial state. He hoped that the meeting would result in a deepening of the sentiment in the community, and would have some impression upon the law-makers, so that before long they might have the extension of the franchise to women, and the recognition of the principle " No sex, no politics." —(Applause.) The Rev. Mr Ready did not come with a prepared upeech on the question, but the movement had his entire sympathy, and he hoped they would be able to gain public sympathy also in its favor. Men who would look at this question intelligently would see that women could stand by the side with them as far as intelligence was concerned, as far as moral character was concerned, and as far as ability to discern between right and wrong was concerned, and if women were blessed with common sense to tell when things differed, or when a thing was right or wrong, when they came to years of maturity they should have the privilege of recording their vote against any injustice that prevailed in the community. He gave his influence heart and soul to this good cause.—(Applauße.) The motion was put and carried unanimously. Miss Browklii had only a very few remarks to make. They were trying to influence the Legislature in their favor, and trying to let them see that they were in earnest about this matter. The women in the world had already clearly shown that they were capable of registering an intelligent conscientious vote, and they claimed the franchise as their right. Some of them had been looking at America, who had set sail with their flag for woman's franchise flying. The speaker moved—" That copies of the resolutions passed at this meeting be forwarded to the Hon. the Premier, the Colonial Secretary, Sir John Hall, and the members for the City and suburbs." The Hon. T. Diok seconded the motion, and in doing so said that those in Parliament who were inclined to oppose women getting the franchise had better look to next election. —(Laughter and applause.) He thought one thing had been overlooked by previous speakers, and that was the energy possessed by women. He trusted that Sir John Hall's Bill would be carried this session, and in a short time we would have women at the poll giviDg true, honest, and upright and useful votes. —(Applause.) The motion was then putund carried, and a vote of thanks to Mrs Dick as chairwoman terminated the proceedings.