THE WOMEN'S FRANCHISE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2849, 21 October 1908, Page 89

THE WOMEN'S FRANCHISE.

W.C.T.U. CELEBRATION'S. On the 9th about 200 r?°pte assembled iii the Arc Gallery Hall to attend a mcet«ig ii-c-ld uu-dcr the auspices of the W.CT.U. to celebrate the fifteenth anni\crsaiy of the giMntinjr of the franchise to ttoaicu by tre Government of New Zealand. Mrs Don (the president of tho union) wa6 in the chair. In her opening remarks, the Presi-Jont 6ald that th,? cel-ebration should rightly have been hpid on September 15, which was the anniversary of -tha date in question ; but i'.ie competitions \\.;re taking place ar that time, vud ccntequeutiy their ii.ee ting hart boon po«i;.o:icci for v nvout.h in orcW that iho two functions might nor c'as 1..1 '.. tShe briefly referred to the women's; £ra>ichisc- movement. For years tlwy had agitated for the franchise, their efforts ending in a monster petition to Parliament, which, containing over 8000 namce, was probabiy the largest ever put before a Parliament. No one would question fchc wisdom of giving to women the franchise, which had resulted 'in so many gcod laws. She hopsd that all their sisters wouJd appreciate the freedom that had been given them, and woit!d sympathise with tho&a ladies in Britain who were so etremsousty fighting for their enfranchisement. She had heard those women called " the shriekiii<r ei*ters " and other objectionable terms, but she could assure her hearers that the iaclies s o referred to were principally among the most cultured in the land. They should not be despised; rathoi should they be lauded for taking cO great a ptand in the cause of progress. The Rev. W. Saunders and Mr H. D. Bedford delivered addres-es suitabJ3 to th& occasion, both referring to the improved tcne at the general election since women had been granted the franchise. During the evening, the following concert items were rendered : Miss Dick (piano eolo). Mis« Mi ir land (vocal solo). Mi&3 Mazengai-b (recitation), Misses Sparrow (song, with violin obligato). Votes of thanks to the epeakers, the performers, and the president concluded the meeting.

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