Ideas.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2075, 1 June 1887, Page 2

Ideas.

WOMAN. The question whether or not women shall have the franchise and sit upon tho cushioned benches of the House, with rights to all the privileges pertaining to a member of tho Legislature, including tho entree to Bellamy’s, free passes on tho railways, and occasional dinners at Government House, has boon exciting tho attention of the Legislature. Tho question is not an easy one to deal with. Just as “ women are kittle cattle,” so tho question of their enfranchisement is a delicate one for a multiplicity of reasons. It would be decidedly awkward to havo ladles in the House, and it would bo equally inconvenient and, in some instances, jiositivcly annoying to have them away from the household. Your femalo M.U.R., of course, would vote for a reduction of the honorarium, and thus too husband who stayed at home to prepare the frugal meals of his establishment would not be reasonably comiieusated for his promotion. Then, again, the lady would imbibe odd notions (the husband, on the other hand, would imbibe tho wine of Bellamy; but that is neither here nor there), and would bo likely to evince an inclination to inform her husband, which would alike be unpleasant to his ideas of matrimonial small talk and his opinions uixm the relative greatness of husband and wife. It is refreshing to reflect that there would probably bo a very remarkable reformation in tho way of female dress, to which of course, attention would be paid, with a view of inventing something neat but not gaudy, select but not cheap, sombre but not shabby. The reverse side of the picture opens up air interesting field of simulation on the subject of bills not introduced into tho House, bills introduced without leave, read a number of times in division, and finally passed in consequence of inability to take them up. To allow women to vote is not such a serious matter. The dear creatures would canvass extensively, tho consequence of which would bo enormous advantage to temperance advocates and social reformers, wore it not absolutely certain that the ladios would be sure to cross the wrong name out. It is appalling, certainly, to reflect that your wifo has put on her Sunday bonnet and gouo out to vote against tho candidate on whoso committee you are a member. But this is an article of antitheses, and food for sweet reflection is to be found in tho {wssibillity that tho good lady will either change her mind on the way, or stop and talk with Mrs Whatsernamo about that little affair of ’s.

Ou the whole, womcu must not vole. It isn’t good enough. Woman has her sphere, and that sphere is a largo one. 1 u the household where there are malleable young minds to be formed and I trained up in the way they should go, so that when their salad days are over they shall not depart from it; in society whero men arc to be influenced ; on the borders of society where vice is to be dispellod by a woman’s kind touch, and where charity is to be administered as you and 1 cannot administer it —in those and in many other ways the woman has her avocation to pursue, bid I say she was inferior to man i Certainly not. She is the sujicrior animal. She can talk better, act belter, manage better, cook belter, and makes clothes better than man. She is more delicate in organisation, moru refined, higher in every way. Hut the arena of i’arliumeut ! This is the placo where men should meet, and meet on manly business. When great financial questions are being discussed or social reforms are.’ under consideration, tho stronger, bolder, more vigorous intellect and grasp of the man arc needed. Tho chamber of a House of I’arliameut with its tjuecr forms, exciting discussions and fascinating surroundings are for men and for men only. If woman must have influence, let it be of a less [tosilive kind. Let us not refrain from revering womcu. The women who make gooa daughters and sisters and steadfast into wives, the women who impart to their children such a spirit of love and honorablcness as to make them good citizens, the women above all —Clod help them,

for their mime is legion—who struggle ou quietly but with heroiuo courago against the lifelong curse of a drunken husband—these are the greatest of orgauisms. Even hero in th is colony women are singing in misery today the bitter song of the shirt, and those women, somo of them are greater than the heroes Carlyle would have us worship But let us strive rut her by the election of honest right minded capable men, to legislate 10 make men belter than to rob tho |<eople of its brightest ornament its household goddess. .K.X.

13,000 steel rails have arrived at Brisbane from Antwerp, to the order ol the Government.