The Elections

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 122, 21 November 1893, Page 2

The Elections

♦ THOUGHTS FOR THE TIMES. SPECIALLY ADDRESSED TO LADIES. (By H. 0. Wilson, Waituna.) S IRj — In addressing the lady electors through the medium of your columns, on some aspects and possibilities of the present political situation, it will perhaps be looked upon by some as savouring somewhat of presumption. First of all, let me say before anyone sits in judgment upon me, that I do not pose as one pretending to a greater knowledge on current events than other persons ; but as one willing to take counsel, to exchange friendly ideas at a critical period, and to ap proach the electors, and the subject matter with the grave consideration due to the occasion. So far as my own judgment goes, I am of opinion, notwithstanding the petitions presented to the House in favor of woman's franchise, that if a vote could have been taken from all the women of New Zealand on this question, that the majority would have been against the innovation ; but as the franchise has been given, it will be well to bear in mind the tenor of a pastoral letter from Bishop J ulius, to the women of his diocese, in which the Bishop said : that whatever their wishes may have been, the measure had become law, and it now became them to exercise their votes in the best interests of society, looking upon it as a moral and religious duty, an obligation from which, as responsible beings, they could not excuse themselves. Now, it seems to me that the ladies of this district represent an ideal of the womanhood of the colony, and upon such rests the balance of compensation in a time like the present. For if only the least desirable of the sex vote, and supposing such votes are not given in the true interests of society, then the female franchiso will become a scourge, and this latter phase of electoarl rights will be worse than its forerunner. On the other hand, if all women who recognise solid worth record their votes, we shall have returned as representatives—independent of party considerations— the best men offering themselves. Parliament will be purified, a better tone will permeate legislative action, and a larger number of patriotic conscientious men will seek the honor of a political career. If such results ensue, the women's franchise will have done good work in clearing the political atmosphere from corrupting proceedings, and influencing for all time the welfare of the colony. It is a fact that thoughtful men are speculating as to how women will use their new-born power ; men are expecting some such results, as noted above, and I, for one, believe these expectatious will be justified when the results of the poll becomes known. History of the past, and experiences of our own time, prove that the greatest and best men derived from women— those virtues that rendered due greatness possible. And now woman is on her trial ; she has to uphold and strengthen a noble record. Those powers which hitherto have been chiefly exercised in private for the good of the race are to be used maa public manner for the public good. Her intuition is quick in discerning the best choice, and I shall not be wrong in predicting the choice to fall on Mr Lethbridge. Of this I am sure ; if he receives the votes of the ladies he will be in his proper place — at the head of the poll.