WOMEN IN POLITICS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 635, 12 October 1909, Page 5

WOMEN IN POLITICS.

VIEWS' OF SIR JOSEPH AND LADY '''• ;■ •; ■■; ■■■■' -WARD. ■■■■':■:■: ■': ,; V INTERVIEWED IN. AMERICA.' j (By. Telceraph-Speclftl Corrcsoondent.! , _~,.'.• , . Auckland, October 11. While in America Sir: Joseph and Lady Ward wcro both interviewed on the effects of female franchise in New Zealand. The Prime Minister and his wife agreo that they have not been so dire as critics predicted. Sir Jossph said, (according to a New York paper), "I.assure you there is no moro quarrelling between hnsbands and wives about politics than there-is..about, tho fashions, the wifp'a new, bonnet, or the husband's new hair-out. Very often there is a peaceful discussion of political questions, and, of ' course, as the interests of husband nnd, wifo- aro identical they of ton vote the same way; bnt when thfy differ it is without quarrelling. Our polling booths are as quiet and orderly.as a church. As a matter of : faot, Lady Ward is not half so miioh involv-ed in politics "as if'she were the wife of an English 1 Prime, Minister, and -'had no vote of her own, for in England she .would bo expected,to deotioneer for her husband, to make speeches, etc. My jrifo has never done anything of that kind for me." 'A-tribute to tho wqmftn canvasser was paid by Ledy Ward, who: said:. "Our elections are interesting, and the women do.a great deal of elcotioneoring jnst M they do in England, but we ,do;our vote>Retting: in a quiet; ladylike manner. Wo win over doubtful womenvoters by personal calls, afternoon : t«t.s, and all the little artifices a woman.can oommand."It is interesting to note that Sir Joseph and, Lady Ward showed a difference of opinion, asto of .the women's vote on the licensing question. \ Said Sir Joseph; "\Vomeh aro almost ns much divided on the liquor question as, men ore. Porhaps the general trend of the woman's vote is toward prohibition, but' not nearly so /much as- was .anticipated. '■ Aa ,'amatter of fact, there is ho sex division on .any-question, although, of • "course, women hayo'greatly improved tho'condition of their' own sex.among us by the vote." : - : tho other'hand, Lady Ward- saidi '"The women are ft powerful faotor in the affairs, of New Zealand. They can practically make or mar a: candidate, nnd "the men running, for officD realise it. That , makes them walk the. chalk-line. : Women have been factors in many great victories for righteousness recently. Wo have pra'ctioally, stamped out the liquor vice. Wβ hope to see the day when there will not be a: saloon in .the land." ■ .. : :