SOCIAL TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1952, 23 July 1891, Page 38

SOCIAL TOPICS.

By Cigarette.

PETTICOAT GOVERNMENT.

That is what female franchise means in plain English, and all who are in favour of it are requested to step into a pretty little art depot in Princes street and sign a petition. At the recent "female franchise" meeting, after a great deal of " talkee talkee," the chief conclusion arrived at was that woman was man's superior. This seems to have put the audience in a good temper, and they dispersed amicably ; but this important point having been decided, what is the next step 1 Why, to sign the petition of course. Well, and what then 7 Time will show.

Ever since 1866, when the first petition was signed in favour of female franchise, this sort of thing has been going on. For a quarter of a century strong-minded females have been struggling for " their rights," and it stands to reason in time they will get them, for

He is a fool who thinks by force or skill

To turn the current of a woman's will. The only wonder is that those " rights " are so long in coming. Women have got their own way as regards education. They are permitted to hold university degrees, and after a great deal of opposition they have succeeded in , entering the ifcedical profession ; while in America there are female lawyers, and all over the world there are female preachers. But female franchise has always been the rock against which they have hopelessly stnfck. In all the other cases where women have been victorious it is because only a portion of the male sex have withstood them — chiefly those whose professions were invaded. But where female franchise is concerned men have been almost universally against them. But now the time is drawing near when men are becoming helpless against the enormous flood of a " million surplus women," and finding that " discretion is the better part of valour," a few farseeing politicians are going over to the enemy; and soon, alasl we all may bid farewell toj law and order; for female franchise is only the thin end of the wedge, and women with their usual diplomacy ask for it very prettily and bring all sorts of specious- arguments in favour of its being granted them. They all know how to coax for a thing, but they won't say what they will do with it when they have got it I Everyman when he marries has an idea that he is going to rule the roost, and yet many a harassed-looking, henpecked husband would be at a loss to explain how his subjugation took place. Of course it was gradual, like all great changes, and " Petticoat Government" will be gradual, the female franchise being the overture to the drama. All those women who are enthusiatic over the franchise question agree in wishing that women should git in Parliament. Therefore when they have votes they will exercise them in returning to Parliament those men who hold similar views. The Labour party will be nowhere, for the "Petticoat party" will cascy the day and sweep everything before it.. Then imagine women with such views as Mrs Mona Cajrd bringing in a bill for legalising " free-love " ! Or imagine the " Ohristchurch girls" of 21 pervading the polling-booth, and vacantly asking " Which is the Tennis candidate 1 " while the Hallelujah lasses" are plumping for a popular captain, and the sweet girl graduates supporting their favourite professor. Then think of the intrigues I But no, they would be too numerous to think of. There would be no time for legislating if women were in Parliament — philandering would be the order of the day, for not even politics can change a woman's nature.

The origin of the whole thingis that women are becoming dissatisfied with their position. A more liberal education has developed their powers to such an extent that every woman with brains is ready to ciy out with Marie Bashirtseff,

What !) marry and have obildren ! Why, any wabherworuan can do that ! No r a brilliant intellect requires something more exciting than domestic felicity. No wonder, then, that such names as those of Harriet Martineau, Mrs Browning, and Florence Nightingale are found among the champions of the woman's franchise, As regards New Zealand, however, there is not yet much enthusiasm shown by the majority of the fair sex over this important question. They require to- be educated up to their "rights." It does not follow that there are no brilliant intellects here. (We have only to peruse the ladies' speeches .at thejecent meeting to be convinced of the contrary.) The brain power is here no doubt, but at present so far as politics are concerned it is dormant. The Christchurch Press affirmed a short time ago that not one of the Christchurch girls if asked could name the English Premier ; and this indifference to politics is characteristic of most New Zealand women. How long they will remain indifferent is another thing altogether, and depends entirely on whether they &xq allowed to vote or not. Bat when

once the franchise is granted to women there will be no sign of indifference. It will be nothing but enthusiasm — red hot enthusiasm — for politics and politicians. What a field will be open for bribery and corruption when lady canvassers can offer kisses for votes I Bat everything will pall in time, for

The sweetest meats the soonest oloy ; and after a long course of kissing one can imagine a surfeited elector wiping his lips, and with a sigh echoing Byron's wish That womenkind bad but one roiy mouth To kiss them all at once from north to south.