Women's Franchise

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 70, 20 September 1893, Page 2

Women's Franchise

The following is a copy of a circular received from Mrs Sh#pphard, of Christchurch, Head Superintendent of the Franchise Department of thn W.C.T.U., and is now printed for general information : — Womanhood suffrage having at last been obtained, it is eminently desirable that our women should avail themselves of their privileges at the coming elections. As the elections will be held almost immediately, and the Electoral llolls will be closed directly the elections are commenced, it is absolutely necessary that not a day should be lost in getting women enrolled. I shall, theiel'oie, In glad if you will at once call a meeting of workers in your neighbourhood (both men and women) ; map out your district into sections; instruct your workers to take round the forms of " Claim lor Enrolment," and get women to sign them. I enclose a copy of the printed form which you will be able to obtain gratis from the Registration Ollicer of your district. If there should be any difficulty, or delay, in getting them, kindly communicate with me, and 1 will forward them at |once. You will notice that th« .signature must be wintered by the Registration Officer, or a Justice of the Peace, or an elector, or the I'ostmaster, of the district. As it will probably be more convenient for an elector to witness the signatures, great care must be taken to be certain that the elector really has his name 011 the electoral roll of the district. It often happens that, through the carelessness of the compiler of the roll, or some other cause, a man who has voted for many years finds that his name has been omitted from the roll. 1 need scarcely point out that if such an one should witness the signatures, the " claims for enrolment " would be useless. As the line " occupation " on the form may be puzzling to some who are occupied at home, 1 would suggest the words " housekeeper," or " domestic " as being suitable for most women. I would suggest that, to avoid confusion, it would be wise to ignore the " properly " qualification, and keep simple to the " residential " qualification. When you have the " claims " properly lilled in, they should be at once forwarded to the Registration Oflicer for your district. You will pardon me tor again reminding you of the great need for haste. If the rolls are kept open for n fortnight longer, and our friends will assist us as heartily as they have done in the past, we hope to have at least 150,000 women enrolled as Electors. Hoping to receive your valued assistance in this work L. W. Dalkymi'lk, Superintendent of the Franchise department of tho "W.CTI'. for Wellington Provincial District. (PEE I'BKSS ASSOCIATION). Woodvillk, This Day. A meeting of ladies is conrened for Friday to consider the best means of placing on the electoral roll the u»mes of ladies throughout •.he district. DusEPiJf, This Day. The Women's Franchise League held a thanksgiving service yesterday afternoon, and to night will hold a monster meeting for the purpose of enrolment. Auckland. September 19 The Premier telegraphed to-day to the president of the Women's Franchise League:— 'l trust now that this great power is granted the women of Now Zealand, it will be exercised for the benelit of all.