WOMEN'S FRANCHISE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10535, 9 August 1912, Page 1

WOMEN'S FRANCHISE.

AN APPEAL TO MR ASQTJITH. Tho following letter lias been forwarded to the Hon K. H. Asquith by tho officers of the Canterbury Women's Institute and the New Zealand Women's Christian Temperance Union:—. Christphurch, Mew Zealand, 27th truly, 1912.—T0 the Rhdit tioy H. H. Asqaith, Prima Minister of Great Britain.—Sir,—As oitfranehised women, owing their political liberty largely to the work of noblo English m«: and women, who in the last century laboured for the civil and political emanciyiation of women. wo again make protest to you on behalf of the devoted British women now suflrcring vindicth'o punishment for conduct called forth by the attitude of the British C-ovcrnincat. Wo believe that by tho porcistcnt refusal of tho Government to acknowledge woman's rightful claim to full cikiacnship% England forfeits her position a-s tlia foremost Christian ne tion —the most advanced in e: .'iihat'on. Wo know tho manifold ini:-or;cs of many of tho men, women and children of Britain; and v.e believe woman's work i.«i to assist in evo'vin;.'; see;: •! order out of social chaos: but until tho complete rights of intelligent burr.-'a beings are accorded to women, this ideal can never •bo realised. We dsploro class war, we snoro deeply don!ore sex war, hub we beiievo that thera can bo 'no lasting peace until the injustices which lie at the roots of tho wars aro remedied. Wo. therefore again appool to you to amend your policy in regard to our women fel-iow-Mibjects resident i;i Great Britain, b3'_ extending: to thoni the r-fhts of citizenship. Bv such aeUo-.i yonr Government will, in our opinion, most assuredly further the rour. o of racial evolution.—Yours faithfully. Ada Wells, President Canterbury Women's Institute ; Lucy M. Smith., Scrotal"'. Fanny B. Cole, President, New Zealand Women's Christian Temperance Uuio.i. Ruth. Day. secretary-. I