OUGHT THE WOMEN OF ENGLAND

Otago Witness, Issue 3030, 10 April 1912, Page 77

OUGHT THE WOMEN OF ENGLAND

TO HAVE A VOTE FOR MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS? (Written for the Open I\ight Meeting of the Dunedin D.L.F. Literary and Debating Club.) By Uncle Mary. In this paper I want to talk mainly about a question which has a special interest for women: Ought the Women of England to have a Vote for Members of the House of Commons? The object of giving any class of persons the franchise, or the right to vote, is to secure that the interests of that class shall not be overlooked. Now, why are the women overlooked? It is argued that the class of women is already indirectly represented, but men and women certainly do not entirely understand each other's point of view, and there are many questions, some great and some small, in which women as a rule take a line of their own. Then, why should a person, otherwise qualified to express an opinion, be refused a vote simply on the ground of sex? For instance, Mr A. at No. 1 has a vote, while his next-door neighbour, Mrs 8., with equal education and an equal stake in the country, is refused a vote merely because she is a woman. This is an outrage on fairness, but, as a matter of fact, things may be even worse; if, for instance, Mrs B.'s gardener or coachman has a vote, while 6he is without one. Again, it is argued that women do not take an interest in politics steadily and continuously ; but how can they be expected to take an interest in a matter they have no say in whatever? However, it is probable that the majority of women, although they have not a vote, know as much about politics as the ordinary working men of England. For instance, you ask the working man of EngJand what he is? Supposing he says he is a Unionist, ask him why? His answer will be, " I dunno, except my father was a Unionist, and his father afore him was a Unionist." Another objection is sometimes raised, that difference of political opinion between man and wife would lead to quarrels. Although I am prone to agree with the remark of the old antiquary who says that " two opinions sleep not well on the earn* bolster," yet I do not think it would be likely to lead to much unhappiness. In all probability these objections will be overruled, and sooner or later the women of England will be granted the franchise —perhaps not wholesale, but gradually, restricting it first to the women of some wealth and education. Then, as time goes on, most of the difficulties will disappear. But one thing is certain—the women will have to ask for it, and in a much more extended fashion than they have as yet shown any inclination to do. Probably there are as many men who wish the women to have the franchise as there are women who wish to gain it.