MRS JUDKINS ON THE RESULT OF WOMEN'S FRANCHISE.

White Ribbon, Volume 4, Issue 42, 1 December 1898, Page 4

MRS JUDKINS ON THE RESULT OF WOMEN'S FRANCHISE.

Dear Madam, Being a Dunedinite, I feel for the honour of the women of my city 1 must not let Mrs Judkins remarks as published in your last month's issue go unchallenged. First, then, let me reply to the remarks re the putting into Parliament “ men of questionable reputation." Can anyone dare to throw a stone at Mr M. J. S. McKenzie or Mr A. Sligo ? The reason why I have mentioned them by name is that I know’ them l»est, and 'he others 1 think could stand the test, although 1 am not personally acquainted with any of them. Then again, in the matter of the “ No I ncense ’ question. I will tell you exactly w’hat happened in my own case, and 1 know that this was only one out of many. I went to vote early in the morning, and was given on paper only. Being pretty well used to the voting business now’, 1 tilled that in (the one for Representatives), and then walked to the man in charge and asked if we did not vote for Local Option as well that day, to which he answered “ yes." “ Well, then," I asked, “ where is my paper, “ didn’t you get it, ’ was the reply, and on my answering in the negative he gave me the voting paper for Local Option and of course I voted for “No License. This happened not only in my case, but in several others, and was reported to the Returning Officer with threats that if he did not put a stop to it, the election would be upset. But how many women voted, and men too, before the matter has put a stop we do not krow, suffice it to say that the Temperance paity were confident of gaining at least reduction if not prohibition, as we were guen to understand that the votes, if not carrying the latter, would count towards the former very desirable object. You can imagine our disappointment and dismay when we found the resuh of the election was not in any way in our favour. Comment is needless. When letters appeared in our daily papers drawing attention to the matter, they were promptly answered by the opposition party who declared that there must have been a mistake, and that every man and woman got their proper papers. 1 answered these letters stating the case exactly as 1

have done to you, and signed my own name. As I am very well known in the city, 1 think it may have had a little weight with our own people, and the other side did not contradict me in any way. Comment again is needless. I cannot :*gree with Mrs Judkins that the granting of the franchise means a double vote to the man if he is married. Women are beginning to think more for themselves now, and they are wise enough to keep their own counsel, and also to vote for that which is likely to be for their good. lam sure we shall see a very different state of things next election, but we must be up and doing dll ing the intervening months and cease not tc bring up in its true colours before the eyes and ears of mothers, sisters, wives and sweethearts, the evil of the accursed drink traffic. E M. Statham, Sec. Dunedin W.C T.U.