THE FEMALE FRANCHISE.

Evening Star, Issue 8931, 15 September 1892, Page 4

THE FEMALE FRANCHISE.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sik,— Having some time at my disposal, and in order to test the value of those numerously-signed petitions presented to Parliament in favor of the female franchise, I visited eighty-Beven families during tho last three weeks and inquired of the wives if they really wanted the right of voting at elections conferred upon them. Out of the eighty-seven mothers only five said they wished to have that privilege. Many of them had qjgned those genuine petitions, but explained that their reason for so doing was to get rid of the pestering busybody who would not take No for an answer. The following are some of the opinions, in brief, expressed by the women: " Modesty becomes a female, and that would not be improved by taking part in elections " ; "It is a woman's duty to watch her home, and a good wife will keep her house so that her husband may not complain. If she does that, she hu3 no time to study the crooked ways of politicians." Others said that " the whole fuss was got up and kept going by a few bluestockings, who liked to hear themselves talked about and to see their names in the newspapers " ; while the largest number replied that they didn't " bother their heads about it, and didn't want to." Now, sir, if my canvassing experience is any test of the wishes of women in this colony for the right to vote, then I say tho reform ia premature, and that the female franchise question has not arrived at that point that it can be described as a longfelt want.—l am, etc , Wait-a-\vee. Danedin, September 12.