THE WOMENS FRANCHISE BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9010, 15 October 1892, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE WOMEN S FRANCHISE BILL.

[BY GLADYS GORDON.] What do women want the Female Franchise Bill passed for? is a question frequently asked by the sterner sex. Can't they mind their homes, and leave voting to the men ? Really, it is quite ridiculous, to say the least, the way they are trying to usurp the privileges hitherto held exclusively by us. Where will they end ? What is there alarming in a woman trying to obtain equal rights with her oppressor, man ? It is surprising that she has nob agitated and struggled for her rights long ago. A gentle man admitted this much to the writer, without the admission being asked for, too. Take, for instance, the fact that until the last few years a married woman could hold no property in her own right, without a special deed of settlement graciously signed by the husband, permitting her to retain her own. If she happened to marry without one, he could claim every cent of her money. And look at the injustice of the divorce law between husband and wife. This fact alone gives a splendid idea of how meagrely justice has been meted out to women by men for centuries past. Most decidedly, we want female franchise, to give us our just rights and privileges, and to improve tho laws, and moral tone of affairs in general. Men with their usual cunning have seen our drift. And that is why they so strenuously oppose the passing of the franchise. Underhanded, contemptible creatures they have indeed proved themselves, in the paltry subterfuges they have resorted to. After keeping us down for ages, they are not going to permit equality of rights without a determined struggle to maintain their supremacy. If women had a vote, perhaps they might succeed in getting a Bill introduced and passed by which a man, who gob hold of a child of 14 and 15, could be flogged with the cat o' nine tails, and receive a term of imprisonment. This would be a step in the right direction. One often reads of a magistrate saying to -a poor unfortunate girl, convicted of murdering her child, "I wish I had the power of sentencing your seducer also." All right-minded, honourable men, fathers and brothers, must feel the stinging injustice of allowing the fellow to go free while hie helpless victim is punished for endeavouring to conceal the traces of her agony and shame. Yet no act is passed by which such a scoundrel can be held accountable for her ruin. Mothers keep their daughters 80 innocent, too — this age a most fatal error. The above remarks have been called forth by a very able letter on female franchise, which appeared in the New Zealand Herald some time ago, written by a Christchurch correspondent, and referring to a case of child murder by a young girl of 16 years old, which had occurred in that city. Men condemn us to a life of home drudgery, because they will not grant us, an equal right of exercising our abilities with them. There is no reason whatever why a woman should nob learn any profession or* trade, provided she has tho ability necessary to success. Women and girls, especially ladies by birth, could then earn their own livelihood without being compelled to make loveless marriages, for the sake of a home, which, alas ! is only too often the case. lb is said that the sole aim of a girl or woman's life is marriage. And why is this so ? Because they have no way of obtaining their own living, parents are unable to keep them as a rule, and hence marriage is the only alternative. Once establish their independence, and these hateful marriages will be a thing of the past. If she chooses to marry, she can do so for love, and help her husband to make both ends meet. Probably thab distinguished writer, Dr. Bakewell, will give us a Long letter on our home duties and minding the baby, &c. The writer is fully sensible of all thab can be urged in support) of a woman's responsibilities ia this

respect. Bub if she could make a sufficiently remunerative Income by her own exertions, it would be an easy matter to get some trustworthy person to relieve her in this wise. The poverty, and consequent drudgery of a house full of children, with no proper assistance, mars many a married woman a life. If women had a vote and voice in matters of general interest to both sexes, they might materially improve their respective positions. Women are capable of giving good, sound advice, and as a rule are more cautious than men. Many a brilliant and successful statesman has owed his success, in a great measure, to the clear judgment of a clever wife. Countries are most successfully governed by Queens. Take for example England, where oar gracious Queen Victoria has reigned for over 60 years, amidst the greatest prosperity and peace to a large and powerful nation. Has it never dawned upon the agitators for female franchise that they might obtain the desired result by drawing up a numerously-signed petition from all classes of women resident in this colony, and petitioning Her Majesty to use her influence in the granting of the Female Franchise Bill and the amendment of the divorce law existing between husband and wife. Now is the time, or never; for when a king ascends the throne of England women's rights will be a matter of perfect indifference to him. When the Female Franchise Bill is passed it will give women an interest in everything connected with the colony or country in which they reside, both politically and otherwise.