WOMEN’S FRANCHISE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2301, 21 September 1908, Page 2

WOMEN’S FRANCHISE.

FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY. A largely attended meeting of ladies was held oil Saturday afternoon at Erskine’s llall, Peel Street, to celebrate tlie fifteenth anniversary of the granting of the franchise to women. The Mayoress (Mrs. W. D. Lysnar) presided, about one hundred ladies were present. Mrs. John Townley read the following sjieeeh“The object of this meeting of the women of Gisborne, and others interested, is to convey to the women of the United Kingdom, that we are deeply interested in tlie subject of the Parliamentary franchise to women, which they axe so earnestly striving to get placed on the Statute iioolv, and the women of New 1 Zealand may well rejoice that tlie Home women are moving, and' so far as we can judge, moving to such good purpose, when we consider tlie years of struggle the New Zealand women had to make before they succeeded in obtaining the franchise. This being the anniversary day on which the New Zealand women received the right to vote for Members of Parliament—namely’, the 19th September, 1893—it appeared to be fitting that we should take some steps to show our sympathy with our sisters in the Old Land, and offer them our congratulations on tlie work they are doing. And so some of us conceived the idea of meeting on this day and taking that action, and we are now assembled for that purpose. I am glad to be present- on such an occasion, and to give such encouragement as I—now an old woman can to support the movement on •the part of our sisters in the Old Dand to secure for all time a privilege and right of such value and importance as the Parliamentary franchise to women. J

Miss Sievwnght then read, from an English paper, an account of a. suffragette procession and meeting in LonThe Rev. W. Grant, ill a short speech, congratulated the women of Aew Zealand on the use of the vote, looimli at first tlie innovation was not popular, the . benefits had now been recognised, and there was not a woman in tho Dominion who desired' to lose tho jirivilege or a man, who wished to take it away. Men and women hv r £,i Col i lrad «b and should stand side by side for the good of their country an d the causo of humanity. Mrs. Graham and Mrs. Morris also mn.o -° f e £ rl> ; d V s of moveincut in ]Ncw Zealand. W c "'right' then moved, and Airs. Scott seconded, the following resolution, which was carried: -“That this meeting of Gisborne women, on theunniveraaiw day of tho granting of the I arh ament ary franchise to the women of New Zealand, desires with one accord to express sympathy with tlie women s Parliamentary franchise movement m tho United Kingdom and warmest wishes for success; dir* ects that a copy of this resolution, together with a contribution to tlie propaganda funds, be sent to Airs—K_ treasurer "honorary •LoSSaVC’"’ 87) C room. £ WBS Su hs>cnbed in the