Woman’s Suffrage.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 536, 25 November 1890, Page 3

Woman’s Suffrage.

TO THE EDITOR, Sin,—During the past ten days we have had three would-be leaders of men addressing the electors. Each has dismissed “ Woman’s Suffrage” with a passing remark. The remark, however, was unavoidable, and measures the progress of opinion on this matter since last election, Captain Bussell declares himself a supporter of the movement. Then why did not the Ministry of which he is a member redeem the utter poverty of last session by passing the then proposed Bill ? Women on all sides are asking, did the Ministry seriously intend to pass that Bill, aud who can make reply ’ Mr Kelly speaks next, promising that women shall have the suffrage ” when they want it.” And do they not want it, and want it now 1 “No,” replies our latest orao'e, “women do not want it.” I beg to differ from Mr Arthur, and in the name of my aex—or a large portion of it—to eqter profound proteat, r Women want an honest, fearless, enlightened Electorate of manly men and womanly women. If there are some men so selfish, some women so womanish (the “ uncivilised ” of both sexes), as to despise their birthright; or even, like Esau of old, to sell it for a mess of pottage, let not the educating medium he withheld even from them. Let men go forth rather, In true missionary spirit, to the highways and byeways; rouse them, as thinking beings, to take an Interest in the destinies of their country—' ■ Compel them to come in.” Such work might not prove lees fruitful than the end esstaik at Wellington, or even than the programmes of promise presently being sown broadcast over the land by our itinerating statesmen. In any case heavy responsibility rests with that. Executive who. qdinittina the Bight, continues to do the Wrong.—l am, eto,, CiSSANDBA.