WOMAN'S NEW OBLIGATION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 21, 22 September 1893, Page 16

WOMAN'S NEW OBLIGATION.

c

♦ HE important clause in the Electoral Bill, giving the franchise to females over twenty-one, possessing at least a residential qualification, has at ■ length received the Royal assent, and is now the t law of New Zealand. In the selection of representatives empowered to control the destinies of this Colony, women have now equal rights with men. The novel experiment will be watched with interest throughout the world. The first election under the new state of things will have much influence on political thought in other countries. The eyes of millions will be directed to this young country to see how women will avail themselves of the new privilege. An undoubted obligation and a new duty are imposed. In giving them the power to cast a vote for the good of the country, we are to understand that it is the intention to iinpote the duty upon women to use their power to secure good government. All women possessing the necessary qualification are expected to vote at election time. All adults are expected, therefore, to at once enroll themselves on the list of electors. In view of an early dissolution of Parliament, no time should be lost. Registration forms may be obtained at Post Offices and from the local registrars. These should be properly filled in and signed by the applicant. The signature most be

duly witnessed by an elector, or a Justice of the Peace, or a postmaster, or the registration officer himself. In the case of an elector, care must be taken that the name of the witness is undoubtedly on the roll. A husband who is a qualified elector may witness the signature of his wife or daughters. Now is the time for a little chivalrous attention on the part of men towards women. Whatever the opinions of some men on the subject, it is clearly the duty of all citizens, in the interests of the Colony to make the new measure effective and to secure the most complete registration. The unassuming woman, who always drags herself away from her great work of family care and household duty with the greatest reluctance, ought certainly, if women vote, to have a voice in the direction of national »ffain». The female political crank will take care of herself. Whether the home be prosperous or neglected she will not fail to have her name on the list of electors. Men, therefore, should Bee to it that those who are the real workers in the cause of rigorous national life will not debar themselves through the retiring disposition, which every true woman possesses, from exercising what ia now a certain duty. We believe that women, with the intelligence and keen intuition of right and wrong, which they undoubtedly possess, will not be found wanting in judgment and discrimination. It is not improbable that the entrance of women into the field of politics will have a decidedly useful effect. It is certainly to be hoped that some election practices, highly discreditable in the case of men, almost sacrilegious if there were question of women, will be once for all abandoned. We commend the Government for taking prompt measures to secure the fullest registration. Before Parliament rises, however, electoral rights, similar to those granted to sailors, should be granted to females, so that women in the country will not be placed at a disadvantage as compared with women in the town. We suggest to Parliament, before closing the present eventful session, to so legislate that future elections may be conducted with such decorum that the strongest advocates of womanly modesty and attractiveness may have no reason to regret the passing of the Woman's Franchise.