POLITICAL HISTORY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 409, 18 July 1928, Page 4

POLITICAL HISTORY

MISS MELVILLE TALKS TO WOMEN

To members of the Women’s Political Association last evening, Miss Ellen Melville gave a review of New Zealand’s political history. Beginning with Captain Hobson’s governorship in 1840, she traced the terms of office of the Premiers up to the time of the late Mr. Richard Seddon. Mr. Julius Vogel’s £10,000,000 scheme for road-making, settlement, railway construction and immigration in the ’7o’s was referred to. In 1875. the system of provincial legislation was abolished and Sir George Grey formed the first Opposition, when he went against the scheme. Miss Melville described Mr. Seddon as a man of wonderful staying power, considerable mental ability, and a man of tireless and searching industry. During his office as Premier women’s franchise was brought into New Zealand. The percentage of women who had consistently voted at elections since the franchise was remarkable, and showed the interest New Zealand women take in politics.

Miss Melville impressed on her hearers the necessity for the keen interest of the women of to-day in politics, as women were coming more to the front and taking their right place in the world.