POLLS AMENDMENT ACT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 72, Issue 7, 12 May 1944, Page 4

POLLS AMENDMENT ACT

Sir,—U would like to introduce another angle of thought into this new Polls Amendment Act—the part of. the 'weaker' sex. The term 'weaker' being very much misused, even from a physical point of view. We see right down through the ages where women have been repressed. Their attempts to express themselves as man's equal, and demanding rights equal to him, have been looked upon with hollow respect. No attempt was made, with perhaps few exceptions, to uplift women to their rightful place in society. Rare are the occasions when any man in the past-lias, even endeavoured- to consider the possibilities of women being possessed with intelligence. It always being accepted that they were created solely for the use of man. ® But when we have found this hollow respect, covered of course with devotion and inspid affection, so also have we found the repression of their natural rights and qualities. It is, fortunately, much better today, but still a long long way from that freedom and equality so much talked about at the present time, and may I add, we have few others to thank but the women themselves. They are possessed with a virtue much more prevalent than in man, and that is frankness:. Tests in intelligence have been taken during the school ages between both sexes and the 'weaker' sex predominated. What a setback to man and in particular deavouring to deprive the women deavouring to reprive the women of a vote in the counties. Thejr still apparently believe that women should be subjected to. man's will, simply because they (the women) are dependant upon him for finan-r cial support of the family and home. Merely to observe, that certain

women are ratepayers and others; are not. (which is quite untrue> shows a definite lack of endeavouring to account for a cause, in the introduction of the Polls Amend-' ment Bill.. Peculiar, isn't it, that women are allowed to become members of Parliament and yet would be deprived of the right to vote on County Councils by. those persons (mainly men) who are opposing this new Act.* Come along Mr Burnett, and other members of the County and Borough I Councils who are opposing this new Bill—defend your opinions, I'm still waiting. Yours etc., J. DITCHFIELIX