WOMAN'S FRANCHISE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9269, 3 August 1893, Page 5

WOMAN'S FRANCHISE.

LIVELY MEETING IN CHRIST CHURCH.

A mijktinii of the Women's Franchise League, held in Christehurch last Friday evening, became remarkably animated when a speaker gave his views for opposing the granting of suffrage to women. Mr. If. A. H. Duval got up to speak in answer to the chairman's invitation for discussion on a motion of the Rev. P. W. Fairclough, who had talked about the inalienable right of humanity, which, of course, included women, to a vote. Mr. I)i;vai. said: The women's place is at home. (Hear, hoar.) What had they to do with politics; what did they know about them? (Loud interruption.) Let them and their daughters look after the household work. (Female voices : So they do.) That was the duty of women. (More interruption.) ifo had made it his business to watch the homes of those women who go canvassing and talking on public platforms. (Loud laughter.) Look at such women's children ; were they looked after as they should be? (Olis.) The women should be at home looking after them. (A feinalo voice: Of course; while her husband's at the public-house, eh'.' Laughter.) I am not an upholder of drink, bub women were never intended by Almighty Cod for this political business. (Laughter.) It's against your bible. St. Paul tells you she is the helpmeet of her husband, and her business is to stay at home. (Loud laughter and further interruption.) I ask you whether the ladies here would not be better employed if they were at homo looking after their slumbering children? (Renewed laughter.) Perhaps some of thorn have their children locked up at. homo and their husbands away. (Cries of "Shame" from the women.) I am of opinion that this movement to give woman the franchise is only got up by a clique — (Dissent and " Noes")and of the 27,000 women who signed the petition I don't think all of them are genuine. (Cries of " Dry up," etc., from male members of the audience, and strong dissent from many woman in the front seats.) Before the Bill is passed the matter should be tested at the election. (A woman—" I wouldn't like to be your wife'' — Laughter, and, when this subsided came the rejoinder from the back of the hall, "and I wouldn't like to be your husband."—(lncreased laughter.) Mr. Duval attompted to say more, bub his effort was drowned by the noise and he sat down, jeered at, hissed, hooted, and applauded. By a coincidence he left the hall as a lady got up to speak, and this action provoked more laughter at his expanse.