WAKEFIELD.

Colonist, Volume XLVII, Issue 11432, 11 September 1905, Page 1 (Supplement)

WAKEFIELD.

On Tuesday evening, Augus' 22nd, the Wai-iti and Wakefielc Literary Societies joined their forcei to debate the question "Hai Woman's Franchise Been Beneficia to New Zealand?" Mr Ivo Tunni cliff led off in the affirmative, anc Mr E. S. Hoult took the negativ( position (for sake of debate, not as his personal views). Mr Tunni cliffe's contentions were that th( women voted intelligently; thai their influence for good was seen it the laws affecting the liquor quest ion, public morality, and the pro tection of women and children ; thai men suffered when women were kjept back; and that having equal responsibilities with men, the women should receive equal privileges. Misses Prentice and Faulkner and Messrs Peart, Wilson and F. Tunnicliffe also supported the affirmative. Mr Hoult contended no beneficial results had resulted from the woman's franchise; that politics was not woman's sphere; that the laws had not improved since women had the franchise; and that there bad been no check on the growth of the colonial debt. Messrs McKenzie, O'Connor C. Peppin, P. Baigent, and G. Johnson assisted Mr Hoult. Mr O'Connor's speech was full of humor, and his wind up was dramatic, as he exclaimed, "I look forward with horror to the time when a woman should become Premier of New^Zealand." Although Mr Hoult's party fought well, on the voting taking place the question wns answered in the affirmative by 46 to 21, so Mr Tunnicliffe's side won.