The Betrayal of Women.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6893, 14 June 1892, Page 2

The Betrayal of Women.

It will be remembered (says the Post) that when the principle of Womanhood Suffrage was affirmed by the House of I'epresentatives towards the close of last session, the Premier, who had previously been a warm advocate of the enfranchisement of women, suddenly cooled down fjiid urged that if they were to be admitted to political privileges it should not be until after the next general election. We are indebted to Mr Hogg, the member for Mnsterton — scarcely a ladies' man, but n professed advocate of their electoral claims— for making a clean breast of it, and letting the colony know the secret history of the Premier's change of front in September last. Hpre is the story •is he told it to his constituents on Saturday night. We quote from the Wairarapa Star report of his speech : — " They were aware he had ihvays advocated, both on the platform and through the press, the claims of the ladies to the suffrage, and he could sny that there were threefourths of the members of the House determined that that suffrage should be granted at once or after the next general election. Many thought it should be deferred until the latter period, for they had a progressive party in power, whoso measure might be frustrated were this new departure made. The Conservatives also depended chiefly upon the ignorant for their support, and were the female franchise granted tit once, and women were not educated for it, there was a danger of the Conservative party ge'ting into power. He thought therefore the ladies might have to wait for two or throe years." Possibly the disclosure will educate the future possessors of womanhood suffrage iv a manner and direction somewhat different from that desired by Mr Hogg and his Liberal friends. They will no doubt duly 'appreciate the compliment paid to them by their present inclusion in the " iguorant class" on whom the Conservatives depend for their support. Their ignorance, however, will not debar them from fully comprehending the -selfish treachery by which their desires were defeated in almost the moment of attain^ went.