Mrs. K. M. Sheppard

White Ribbon, Volume 40, Issue 467, 18 August 1934, Page 8

Mrs. K. M. Sheppard

rpHKKH is a story told of the great hurricane in j Samoa, when ship after ship was piled in ruins on the shores of Apia harbour. Ihe “Calliope” steamed out in the teeth of the gale, with every ounce of steam that could he given tier she barely had steering way. As she sailed past the “Teuton.” a IT.S.A. ship, fast drifting helplessly to the rocks, its doomed sailors raised a cheer as the “Calliope” fought her wav past them. Doomed as they were to destruction, yet with courage and true sportsmanship, they saluted their comrades w’ho were escaping. And there are times when we of the present day should stand at the salute to the noble women of the past who. through showers of sneers, storms of obloquy, g.'les of passion, and gusts of derision, fought and won for us the battle of freedom. And such a time is the present when’not onlv White Ribboners but social workers of the Dominion are mourning the loss of one on the old brigade." Nay. one who led that brigade in their tight for women's franchise. It is an old story now. but time cannot dim the lustre of the crown they won by service and by sacrifice. By their victory in 1893 they cleared from our statute book the slur cast on the noble womanhood cf the colony of New Zealand The women pioneers of this fair land had fought side by side with their fathers, brothers and husbands, had borne the hardships of pioneer

(ittrs. Unlu'U-^mttl)).

life and had planted homes in the wilderness. But they were classed with “lunatics, minors and criminals” when it came to voting. The Electoral Bill extending the Franchise to women took away this shir, though it was not for a long period that full justice was done by allowing women not only to vote for Members of Parliament, but. also to he voted for as M.P's. As Franchise Superintendent tor the W.L.1.l Mrs Sheppard led the women to victory, and on September 19th Mr. Seddon forwarded to her the following telegram: “The Electoral Bill assented to by His Excellency the Governor at a quarter to twelve this day.” iThe pen with which the Bill was s ; - ned was presented to Mrs. Sheppard, and oy her request is to he placed at the W.C.T.F. Headquarters. 4*l Brougham Street. Wellington There it will remain as a relic of a tight in which tie Tnion bore so brave a part. Mrs. Sheppard was the first Editor of the “White Ribbon” and occupied the editorial chan until her departure for a trip to England. Shortly after the winning of the Franchise, the Pet one No-liicer.se League held a public meet in in the Oddfellows Hall to hear from Sir Robert Stout and Sir John Hall some particulars of the fight in the House. The Hall was packed and the Secretary of the No-License League, who was first mistress in the Petone Central School, was deputed to move a resolution thanking the two Parliamentarians for their efforts to secure the vote for women of N.Z. It was her first hit of work in the cause of feminism, and she listened eagerly while Sir Robert spoke of Mrs. Sheppard s tine work and able leadership in the campaign. Put still more was she impressed in the quiet supper room (where as hostess she entertained the speakers and friends) listening to Sir Johh Hall tell of visits to Mrs. Sheppard's home, and soeak of its beauty and orderliness, and how public work had never interfered with private duty. Little did that young teacher imagine that she would ever occupy the editorial chair of t lie “White Ribbon” and stand in noble succession o those who founded our official organ. During the difficult years of the Great War when problems in our departments of Peace and Puri v almost daily pressed upon the Editor, and it vas difficult to speak truth and not offend against tie War Regulations, then the advice of Mrs Shepoaid was invaluable. Always wise and tactful, with an intimate knowledge of these subjects, her conns \ was often sought and her wmrds of encouraeeme?» helped us to “carry on“ when all was dark ar 1 difficult. . To the last ber interest in the White Pibboi Mas keen and in the office is the feeling of sadno « with the severing of another link with tlm mound the loss of a wise counsellor and friend. Hi t whenever the story of the Woman’s Frnnchb ' Movement is told the name of Kate W. Sheppai will be honoured. “SJie beinQ dead vet speaketh"