NATIONALISTS AND THE WOMEN VOTERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5566, 15 May 1896, Page 3

NATIONALISTS AND THE WOMEN VOTERS.

The recent South Australian elections have resulted — as did the first New Zealand elections after the extension of the franchise to women — in the continuance in office of a Liberal Government. This victory was achieved by the South Australian Ministry in spite of every enticement held out by the National Association to the women voters, in the shape of "afternoon teas" and strong protestations of devotion to the cause of social and governmental purity. The ■women did not forgot that The Country, the organ of the National Association in . South Australia, had written regarding the proposed enfranchisement of their sex : — "We seem given over to folly. And no greater folly than this woman's suffrage fad could well be committed. To have fifty or sixty legislators deliberately admitting that men are not able to govern the colony without the assistance of a lot of fussy, snuffy, gossiping old women is very funny. If men choose to write themselves down such asses, we cannot help it ; we can only look on and wonder. The suggestion that women are equal to men is absurd. They are as inferior mentally as physically. That they are so physically goes without saying; that they are so -mentally the ages have proved. Once and again there is a brilliant exception, but that only proves the rule. * * * In 'the French Eevolution the most brutal, fiendish and bloodthirsty were invariably women. So it is in gaols. All who have ever had experience testify that women are far harder to govern than men when criminal, and much wickeder. This is vouched for by their own sex, by matrons, searchers, nurses and visitors, as well as by the other sex also. This extra villainy is not proof of superior ability ; i.e., it does not show that powerful intellects give them a greater capacity to be villains. But it shows that their inferior ability renders them less able to put a restraint on their villainy. In other words, .they have not had ability to restrain themselves. Of course, some men have also been deficient in siich an ability. ; The difference is this.: That the inability , of men is in some only ; the inability of i women applies to all. Yet this weak sex 1 is for the future to govern us, and not the [ best of the sex, but the worst. The best of , the sex will be engaged in nursing babies k and other suitable and natural avocations." • From many Conservative politicians and • journals in New Zealand sentiments J . similar to these emanated 1 , when the women's franchise was xmder discussion ; but now that the reform is accomplished these " leaders " of thought try to pose as I friends of women. The women of New f Zealand, like those of South Australia, } have memories, however, and. are as little . likely to be deceived.