Bishop Moran on Female Franchise.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4761, 29 September 1893, Page 3

Bishop Moran on Female Franchise.

In the course of an interview Bishop Moran spoke in reference to woman's franchise as follows :— "My recommendation to the Catholic woman is fco registei*, no matrer what tbeir own private opinion may be. The recent enaclment of the Legislature of the country giving the ■women the privilege of the franchise clearly imposed upon them the obligation of exercising it thoughtfally and wisely. Now is not the time to discuss the wisdom or unwisdom of this Act of Parliament. Only time can solve the difficulties surrounding the new measure. Meantime, considering the many important interests at stake, every Catholic woman in New Zealand, and, indeed, all women qualified for registration, should not only see that their names are placed on the list of registered voters, but they should all vote at the next general election for the candidates thoy may conscientiously consider most capable and willing to promote the interests of the Colony. Without taking thought of our own private opinions on the subject, 'tis clear to me that, under the circumstances of the moment, all women, without exception, qualified to vote should exercise that privilege. I trust much to the olear intelligence and upright, consciences of what the Church calls the 'devout female sex,' and I think their taking a. prudent and thoughtful part in the general elections will tend to much good and the purification of politic.. As to the future, let the future solve its own problems."