OUR MEMBERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1570, 28 May 1887, Page 2

OUR MEMBERS.

We take the following reports from 11 Hansard":—

WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE BItL.

Mr Ivesß.— Sir, this is rather an Im- J portant subject, and I fear if I were to enter upon a dissertation regarding it I might be travelling beyond my depth, and therefore I will confine myself, In my remarks, to a common-sense rather than a Bontimental view of the question. I take it that, when we confer the privilege of voting on the male portion of the community on aooonnt of their property qualification, we are not aoting wtaely m withholding the same privilege from the female portion of the community possessing property. I know of persona — males —m this country holding property not worth more than £20 who are entitled to vote on the property qualification ; while, on the other hand, I know of women who poßßeas property to the valut> of several thousands of pounds, and consequently contribute largely to the property-tax of thia colony, and yet these are refused the right to vote. Therefore I hold that a serioua Inequality exists In that' direction, and that it ought to be removed. I would not, however, go to the extent of conferring universal aoflf a;e on the women of this colony, baoauae £ hole that the privilege is on a the value of whioh women require to bd educated op to. I think if the'fyatem ware introduced Immediately it would perhaps have rather a baneful effect. I think it would b « wisest, m t^o first instates, to introduce the thin end of the wedge, by conferring the franchise on women possessing the property qualification, In order to see how the experimant works ; and, with tha f view, I would prefer to vote for the second reading of this Bill, m the hope that m C.immitt c ib will bo co amended •a to confine the vote to femile property-

holders m this colony, It was feared that when the franchise was extended to the whole of the male adult population of this colony a baneful result would follow; bat I think it has caused a more intelligent opinion to be exercised at the elections. I think, also, that the tone

and oharabte'r of this House have been

elevated by the extension of the franchise. When the system of voting by ballot was first proposed the same evil effects were predicted as are predicted now. Fortunately the ballot has had the effect of

elevating and purifying our elections rather than of deteriorating them. The walks of life have been considerably widened m favor of women. I may&Uade to the case of universities, which have now been thrown open to them j and I need not 'remind the House how women have successfully competed with the males there: and I am Bare if the franohlse were extended- to the women of this colony good results would follow. We have seen within thia colony how ably female orators hava acquitted themselves on the platform ; we have seen aotreasea who have given evidence of possessing the highest histronio ability, and have succeeded m attracting large audiences ; and lam sure this is a measure whioh, if ones Introduced, .would be oaloulated to ralße rather than lower the fair sex of this colony. Nevertheless, It would be deairaSle to give ft a fair trial m the direc ion I have indicated. We now allow them t*> give votes m tin choioe of the ohlef magistrate s of the diff '.rent boroughs ani oities of t^e c. lony. Very Urge numbers of is dies enter the polling booths on these neca ions ml « xorcise their votes, and I a«y th y do ao m a dia criminating ani iotelii£u<-c toatmer. And if the Sure no z a thuir rig l .t to vote m thia directi >o I i.m we no harm can result from o inferring the franchise m thfa colo-.y u,»i-u wo;im> who hold property. 1 shjh v. t • io- the second reading of tho Bill, m Ujh hope that m Committee it will bo amended m the direction 1 have etated. Mr Walker.— l do not want to say much on this q-estion, but I think it is only fair to h •>• a fow words to thosa honorable members who, like the honorable member for Akaroa, oeem to be willing to vote for the second reading of the Bill without conceding tho principle that women have a right to the suffrage. I think, myself, that, unless one ia prepared to go the whole way m this matter and vote for the second reading as agreeing with the principle of female suffrage, it is a mistake to pass the second reading and limit it to women who have the property qualification ; became It is quite oertain, as a matter of logical sequence, that if the property qualification is now granted by this House the lull suffrage will be given m the immediate future. Therefore I would ask honorable members like the honorable member for Akaroa not to affirm the necond reading of the Bill on that qualified ground, but to pause before they take aotion, and BBk themselves, are they prepared to admit the* principle ? That ia all I wish to say. The matter has been carefully argued tonight Honorable members have probably made up their own minds : but I especially addreßS (hose honorable members who are willing to vote for the second reading, but who, at the same time, do not admit that the prinoiple should be carried out iv its entirety. One word as to what fell from the honorable member for Caveroham.. He apparently is well read In astronomy and other solenoes. I would ask him, has he ever read a very able and instructive work entitled •• The Eevolt of Man"? If he has not, I would commend it to him, as I (eel quite certain m my own mind at lepst that it would illustrate many poißible diil'uultlea of the future whioh may be suggested to many honorable members this evening. It haß ooourred to my mind frequently this evening ; and I think it would do the honorable member a great deal of good«if he were to read it.