WHEN WOMEN VOTE ’IN ENGLAND

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2083, 18 May 1907, Page 1

WHEN WOMEN VOTE ’IN ENGLAND

WHAT WILL HAPPEN? (By Lady Charlotte.)

Nothing, I do truly believe, very terrible will happen when we obtain the vote, hence I have never ceased to wonder why for so long the parliamentary franchise has been denied us. Why are men jealous of their exclusive position as voters? ■ Why should they strive to keep us from the polling booths almost at the point of the bayonet ? At -election campaigns I vow we shall not be in the way, but shall be willing and welcome fighters on behalf of the candidates we see fit to support. What happened in the general election of 1906 ? Women were the power behind! many •and many a campaign; ti e most untiring arid successful of canvassers, trie”beautifying element of many a platform, and the mainstay—the practical, intellectual mainstay—of not a few seekers for parliamentary honors.

I know a woman, a Suffragist, now iii Holloway Gaol, who coached one aspirant for membership during tlic 1906 campaign, arranged all his'meetings, and engineered his resources. She was the power behind that campaign. When she is part of the feminine power in the full light of 'publicity, will she a menace to that candidate or any other in whose views she agrees? Certainly not. I have heard it asserted that houses will be divided against houses when the husband and wife in it hold political views that do not agree. Religious views of an opposite kind do not provoke dissension when that excellent rule prevails that everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. Why, then, should politics prove a bone of contention? Only, as new brooms, women will sweep hard and clean, and politics will become a very 'much more serious affair than they have been for a long time past. I think tho political salon will be revived, for when at last women feel that they are not to be classed any longer by the State with idiots, they will set their brains to work to see what they can do to help their country towards greater hapiness and further prosperity, and as enthusiasts they will be capable of accomplishing much. I am absolutely convinced that all laws that affect tho welfare of clnlOven will be well looked after by the woman voter, and that poor waifs who are now allowed to work, woik, work, first at their books to satisfy the educational authorities, and then at errand-running and other more arduous tasks to put money into the pockets of their idle parents, will be more -closely protected than they aie. Temperance measures in particular will be supported emphatically by women. For it is women who are the chief sufferers from the drunkenness of husbands and brothers, and I am convinced that all facilities that as- ' sist women to buy spirits and wine l in polite ways, such as at grocers shops, will be fought against. ! I well recollect Sir Wilfrid Lawson’s expression of opinion that when j women were given the franchise the ; fight for temperance would be welt fought. . .... I The marriage laws m time will dc amended and improved upon, with the happiness of women more pronn- | minently considered than has hitherto , been the case. As fur Deceased I wife’s Sister Bill, 1 fancy women will pass it, because so many will be ■ (dad and thankful to think that tho Taw of the land will sanction for their little ones stepmothers who should naturally have their welfare doubly at heart.

The low wages some women earn in comparison with those of men will naturally form a prominent subject for reform among women voters, and sweated work will be battled against with splendid courage and lot us trust, with equally splendid results. Some people say that the outcome of the movement to gct> bettei pay oi women will bring about their own undoing, since when capitalists who employ feminine labour find they can ensure men’s services at the same rate, they will prefer men and oust women. I know quite well that it is a human trait to want something very badly indeed that is depied one, and then not to want it at all when it is ' given, but with the vote it will be ' different, nor will the Suffragists rest 1 content if only married women and ! ratepayiiig women are given it. They will demand it for every woman who 1 is of an equal status with every mail i who lias it. They will also demand, ■ I am informed —or should I say secure?—in course of time the right to 1 sit as members' of Parliament at St. ' Stephen’s 1 Is that what is scaring men so ? I really tkiuk it must be.