WOMEN’S PLACE

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8178, 3 May 1919, Page 3

WOMEN’S PLACE

THE CHURCH AND THE VOTE. (Own Correspondent). NAPIER, This day. At to-day’s sitting of the Anglican General Synod, Air J. W. White moved a bill for tlie extension of the Church franchise to women. Since the hill was first introduced at the General Syod in Christchurch, women had been granted the political franchise in America, Britain, and elsewhere. The Bishop of Coventry had established a third house of representatives in his Diocesan Synod composed of women. St. Paul entreated his true yokefellow to help the women who were his fellowlaborers in the Gospel. Mr W. J. Birch strongly supported the motion; women were equally baptised and confirmed members of the Church, and should be treated as equal with men. Mr J. A. Maclean said it was not proposed to grant a favor to women. It was a debt due to them inasmuch as they were the most vigorous workers in the Church.

Mr Cottrell said a great part of the work and special efforts in the parishes were done by women. Women’s franchise had proved a success in political spheres, and would also prove so in Church matters. Mr C. Lord suggested that the words defining a parishioner should be

“every person” instead of “every man”; this would meet Mr White’s requirements without introducing a paragraph inconsistent with another. Archdeacon Fitehett pressed the suggestion of Mr Lord.

Mr T. W. Rowe pointed out that the alteration of the definition of parishioner in this way would make women eligible as members of the vestry or as churchwardens. He did not oppose this, but wished to point out tlie fact. We had no right to assume that women would he less wise than men in exercising the franchise.

The second reading of the bill was passed. The bill was considered in committee, and reported as amended. Mr Robertson gave notice to move for the recommittal of the bill for further amendments.