THE WOMEN'S VOTE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 3004, 16 December 1896, Page 4

THE WOMEN'S VOTE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,,—Many thanks for your chivalrous defence of women in late issues in reply to tho pitiful wail which appeared in your "esteemed” contemporary, the of the Golden Calf. I shall pass over the insinuations, the misrepresentations and the abuse- which for weens past have been poured forth on a long-suffering people. Honest men and women feel disgusted with it, and they pity intelligent people who so misuse their abilities. Hut such tactics merely recoil on those who employ them, and the result of the election shows it. Wo are told- that the following four things were expected from us women; — (1) “ The influence of women would have a sobering effect in political contests.”— That it has had this effect is not denied. (2) “ That women would vote for men of character.” —The characters of two of the Government candidates are without “ reproach," and as to the third, wo prefer a man who openly and honestly admits he .has done wrong in tho past to canting politicalfsnulllers, who havo not yet been sufficiently unmasked. (3) “ That their influence would be felt in insisting on 'pure ’ government.”—We do not believe in pure government, or in pure men, because such things do not exist, and never will, so long as human nature is what it is. This twaddle about purity is played out, a silly oatohcry intended to throw dust into our eyes. Beware of the man who always talks about purity! (4) “ They would strongly support Prohibition.”—Only people with little experience of the world and totally unacquainted with the feelings of women (outside certain cliques and sects) expect us to support fanaticism. The great majority of women believe in moderation and true temperance. The schoolmaster has been abroad among us women. We refuse to be drawn into such miserable side issues as Prohibition and so-called pure government. We women insist on two main points —(1) That every man, woman and child in New Zealand must be properly housed, fed' and clothed; (2) That every man and woman willing to work must be provided with work at fair pay and during reasonable hours. Are the Conservatives likely to bring this about ? We havo learned enough to understand that Conservative rule means monopoly, and privileges in tho hands of a few. They are so much ashamed of themselves and their past that they all called themselves “ Liberals” lately .(for election purposes). Tho Liberals on the other hand believe in progress, in destroying privileges, in uplifting the masses. They have attacked (and-in many oases successfully vanquished) every monopoly in the country. They have passed a hundred good measures which are as gall and wormwood to the party of privilege. Wo know they are read/ to do a great deal mote, and that is why we women voted the Liberal ticket. W© believe in sincerity, manliness, outspokenness. We hate shuffling and snuffling. - Per Independent Liberals, rail-sitters, extremists, democratic knights and apostles of alleged purity we have no respect. We are proud of the way we voted and tho active part wo took in the elections, and shall always be found on the side of progress. —I am, &0., Charlotte Cobdav. Wellington, December 9th, 1896.