HOW THE WOMEN OF NEW ZEALAND Won the Franchise

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 49, 3 March 1894, Page 8

HOW THE WOMEN OF NEW ZEALAND Won the Franchise

The following paper was read at the meeting held in. the Theatre Royal yesterday evening in connection with the 'Convention of the W.C.T.U.:—

Before giving an account of the proceedings - of the past year, we cannot refrain from, expressing the gratification we feel at the factthat the women of this colony are at last in possession of the franchise. .Nor can wo help remarking that the battlehas been fairly won by the women themselves. . In saying this we arc not unmindful of thenumerous friends, who, members of the sterner sex, have yet espoused the cause of women and proved their loyalty many a time and oft.

To all these, whether public men or private citizens, we frankly own our indebtedness, and. gratefully thank them for the splendid service they have rendered without hope of reward other than seeing justice done. Ytt they themselves will be the first to own that all their efforts would have futile but fertile pressure of public opinion behind them. The creation of the public opinion in. favour of the extension of the franchisehas been due to the unceasing energy of the women of the colony, and —we think it may be said without boastfulness—this energy has been mainly aroused, sustained, and directed by the action of the W.C.T.U. In this we see great cause for thankfulness, and an addith, nal reason for our belief that the enfranchisement of women will result in the moral uplifting of humanity. The most prominent feature of our work during the past year has been the preparation of the third petition from the women of New Zealand to Parliament praying for enfranchisement. The text of the petition was given in last year’s report. The petition was signed by 31,872 women of twenty-one years of age and upward, nearly onc-third of the total number of women in the colony. When it is remembered that our population is scattered along a country over 1000 miles long, in small communities separated by sea and forests, rivers and mountains, and that consequently a very large number of women had no opportunity of signing the petition, it will be realised that the labour of collecting the signatures has been very great, and the large total speak* volumes for the earnestness of those women who undertook the task. We should her*mention the great assistance rendered by the several Franchise Leagues, and especially the Franchise League of Dunedin. Although most of the principal workers in these Leagues are members of the W. C. T. U., and would probably have rendered eillcient service apart from the Leagues, yet it is certain that these independent organizations were able to enlist many women who did not sec their way to work under the W.C.T.U. The friction that might fairly have been expected between different bodies engaged in the same work hasbeen almost entirely absent because of the fine tact and generous spirit shown by the leaders. Consequently we had a vigorous and incessant agitation for the franchise from one end of the colony to the other, never ceasing until Womanhood Suffrage had become an accomplished fact. Baku ameniaet. On July 28, in the House of Representatives, the Premier moved—“ That the House go into committee on the Electoral Bill.” Sir John Hall took the opportunity of presenting the Women’s Petition, remarkingthat it was the most numerously-signed petition ever presented to any Parliament in Australasia. After an attempt had been made to revive the question of Electoral Rights, the Bill was committed. In the meantime, fearing that Womanhood Suffrage was jeopardised by being included in the Government’s Electoral Bill, which bristled w r ith a number of points on which the two Houses of Parliament were likely to hold divergent views, Sir John Hall prepared and introduced a separate Women’sSuffrage Bill. On August 9th Sir John moved the second reading of his Bill. An acrimonious debate followed, but the opponents of the Franchise, recognising the hopelessness of their efforts, abandoned the contest, and the second reading was carried by a practically unanimousvote.

The debate on the motion for the third reading of the Electoral Bill was held on August 11th. The subject of the enfranchisement of women excited the keenest interest, and showed that there was tension among the adherents of the Government.

Charges of insincerity were freely levelled at the Premier, more especially in connection with the newly-nominated members of the Upper House. After a long and stormy debate, during which an amendment to the title was proposed and negatived, the motion was agreed to on the voices. The Bill then passed to the Legislative Council, where Sir P. A. Buckley, on August 17th, moved that it be read a second time. In the Upper House, as in the Lower, the interest taken in the Bill was centred on the question of womanhood suffrage. The debate on the second reading lasted several days, and was at times very heated. The opposition to the extension of the Franchise was led by the Hon. W. C. Walker(one of the councillors newly appointed for the purpose of carrying the Government measures) and the Hon. C. C. Bowen.

In the legislative Council the charge of insincerity was again brought against the Government, many councillors asserting that the Bill had been sent up for the express purpose of being killed, the Premier not daring to oppose womanhood suffrage in an elected Assembly. Amendment after amendment was negatived, and the position became most intricate. Many councillors voted in a contrary direction- ; .to their- opinions—our opponents with the object of killing the Bill, and so'"-getting rid of the hated Women’s Suffrage question, and our friends with the hope of preserving this feature of the Bill at almost any cost. The final trial of strength took place on September Bth, when, on the motion that the Bill be read a third time, Mr Bowen, as a despairing effort, moved —“ That this Bill be read this day six months.” After a final debate the third rending was carried by a majority of two, thus passing both Houses. Our opponents, however, died hard, for the minority in the Legislative Council signed and forwarded to the Governor a petition asking him to withhold his assent to the Bill on the following grounds : “1. It is a Bill of an extraordinarily important nature, and the rights and property of Her Majesty’s subjects not resident in this colony are seriously affected, as results may seriously embarrass the finances of the colony, thereby injuriously affecting the public creditor, who was unaware that such legislation was seriously contemplated. 2. We firmly believe that the majority of the settlers of both sexes are opposed to the measure. 3. There has been no opportunity yet afforded to the electors to express their opinions on the subject.” The reference in the first clause to the public creditor was palpably absurd, but with regard to the second and third clauses, we felt that prompt action was necessary, and therefore addressed the Governor as follows : “To His Excellency the Eakl or Glasgow’ Governor of New Zealand. ‘ May it please Your Excellency— )

‘‘ On behalf of the 31,000 women whose petition I had the honour of forwarding to Parliament, I am empowered by my Executive to address your Excellency on the question of the protest urged by a minority of the Legislative Council against your Excellency’s immediate assent to the enfranchisement of the women of the colony. 1 therefore beg to point out that, on the eve of the last general election, a large majority in the House of Eepresentatives affirmed the principle of womanhood suffrage, and that Sir John Hall was induced to withdraw the Women’s Franchise Bill, which would have given effect to the principle, solely on the ground that the question laid not come before the eonstitueuces, and should be relegated to the country. Womanhood suffrage w;as one of the most prominent questirns raised at the last elections, and every candidate, I believe, without exception, declared himself as either favourable or antagonistic to the enfranchisement of women. The constituencies having elected a large majority of representatives who were avowedly supporters of womanhood suffrage, the assertion made in clause 3 of the protest forwarded to your Excellency is absolutely without foundation, and contrary to fact. 1 aineerely trust that your Excellency will not allow the action taken by both Houses of Parliament in acceding to the petition of 31,000 women of the colony to be frustrated. “ I have the honour to be, “ Your Excellency’s Obedient Servant, “ Xate W. Shuppaei>, “N.Z. Franchise Superintendent W.C.T.U.”

At the same time we communicated with our district Unions and other bodies, urging swift action in the same direction. This was taken, and representations were made to His Excellency from a large meeting of Women held in Christchurch, from various W.C.T. Unions and Franchise Leagues, and also from other organisations.

In the meantime our foes were no less active, for a petition against Womanhood Suffrage was prepared by the brewers and publicans, a large number of names were placed on it, and it was forwarded to Lord Glasgow. Our friends tried to get sight of the forms which were said to be signed, but were not successful. However, the shameless duplication of names was a matter of comment in the daily papers. A meeting of the Christchurch W.C.T. Union was held, and caused the following resolution to be forwarded to the Governor—“ That this meeting views with indignation the brewers’ petition against 'Women’s Suffrage, and trusts Tour Excellency will not delay your assent to the Electoral Bill,” It was then discovered that an omission had been made in a part of the Bill dealing with the qualification of Maori electors, and though wc were sure of the Lower House, we feared that if the Bill were sent back to the Legislative Council for amendment, our majority there was so small that some mischance might befall it. The Premier, however, announced that the Government would bring in a special Bill to deal with the omission, and wc breathed once more. On September the Nineteenth, your Superintendent received from the Premier the following telegram:— “Electoral Bill assented to by His Excellency the Governor at a quarter to twelve this day,” and the enfranchisement of every adult women of New Zealand was at last achieved. The Elections. As it was known that the Government intended to bring the Sessions of Parliament to a speedy close as soon as the Electoral Bill

was passed, and that the General Election

would, be held shortly after, much anxiety was felt as to whether it would be possible to place any considerable number of women on the rolls before they were finally made up. Great activity was therefore displayed by the various organizations of women in all parts of the colony. Claims for enrolement were procured and efforts made to organize a house to house visitation. In many places special meetings for enrolment were held. We must here gratefully acknowledge our great obligation to hundreds of men electors,

who gave unsparingly of their time and labour to asist us in our -work. An amusing feature of this period was the marvellous readiness with which the position was accepted by our opponents. Men and women who denounced the idea of women voting as degrading, unsexing, and unwomanly, now displayed a most amazing alacrity in enrolling women, and seemed utterly regardless of the feminine delicacy which they had said would be so terribly marred if women went to the poll As the candidates came into the field they made distinct bids fer the woman’s vote, and some of them were most mirth-provoking with their wriggles as they were brought face to face with a large body of electors whose rightful claims they had previously opposed. As the interest of the elections waxed, efforts were made in some quarters to organise women for the purpose of giving block votes, and the Franchise department was frequently appealed to for guidance. We felt that so far as the ordinary party questions of the hour were concerned it was better that women should decide for themselves. We advised, however, that special regard should be paid to reform in the liquor laws, that women electors should gratefully remember those candidates who had helped to enfranchise them, and that on no account should a woman vote for a man of immoral life. The elections were held on November 28, when out of, 109,461 women who bad been enrolled, 90,290 recorded their votes.

For the purposes of comparison, we may mention that there were 1 7,701 names of male electors on the electoral rolls of the colony, and out of that number 124,439 voted. The manner in which the election was conducted proved that the assertion that women would be subjected to insult was a groundless one. Although one ol the most exciting elections ever held in the colony, it was frequently commented upon as being undoubtedly the most orderly Women freely attended the meetings, and the rowdyism that so often disgraces such assemblies was noticeably absent. In fact, men. and women behaved themselves in precisely the same manner as they would at any other public meeting. On the polling day, throughout the whole of the colony, we have not heard of a single polling booth at which the crowd was not well behaved.

In the towns, women found easy access to the booths, the men making way for them where the approach was at all crowded, and maintaining a generally respectful deportment. The daily papers were unanimous in their remarks as to the orderliness and freedom from drinking. We think we arc justified in churning that the presence of large numbers of women at the booths was found to be a far more effectual restraint on ruffianism than the police force could have been. Every male voter had a sister, wife, mother or daughter, or some one equally dear to him, for whose sake all riotousness must be restrained. In the country districts the election had much the appearance of a gala-day. Vehicles decked with bright flowers, driven by spruce farmers and laden with their women folk in holiday attire, gave quite a festive air to the proceedings. In some places the opportunity was seized to hold a picnic near to the polling booth, and, having performed their duties as citizens, the remainder of the day was spent in out-door pastimes. This was felt by the men to be a great improvement on the custom of lounging in or about the public house, and was duly appreciated by the woman. ( Results of the Elections. In attempting to deal with the results of the elections vi e feel that some explanation is necessary lest the effect of the women’s vote should be misunderstoi d. Prior to the granting of the Franchise a question much, and wo think foolishly, debated, was as to whether women would be Conservative or Radical in their politics. At this election the old Conservative party received a most crushing defeat. Wc think several causes operated to produce this effect. In Ntw Zealand there has boon for some years past a strong trend towards pure democracy. At the previous election a compact Labour party was returned, the members of which, by their moderate and intelligent action, won general respect from both sides of the House and throughout the colony. They were thus able to hold their own at this election. Then the change in the incidence of taxation materially lightened the burden borne by the small farmers, who form a very large class in this country. I’lic attempts of the Government to encourage the subdivision of largo estates by means of the graduated land tax also met with the approval of those who wished to settle on the land. For years past the Government has introduced a number of measures ostensibly for the amelioration of labour, and whatever opinion may be held as to the wisdom of those measures, yet it is certain that they were • received with approbation by the working classes. In a country where every poor man has a vote and no rich man has more, too much importance cannot be attached to this fact, especially when it is rememberedthat the Conservative party, which

is mainly composed of large land and property holders and their friencjs, persistently opposed these - Pleasures. Another important factor in the election was the Liquor Law. For several years a strong agitation has been going on to secure for the people in each licensing district the power to close public houses by a direct vote. The Government, although not in thorough sympathy with the movement, had recognised to some extent its strength and tried to prevent a split amon g their supporters by passing a Hill, which, although unsatisfactory, still admitted the right, of the people to a direct voice in the suppression of the liquor traffic. On the other hand, with but few exceptions, the Conservative party threw its weight and influence in with the publican party. The position therefore stood thus : On the Liberal side were the small farmers, the working classes and the greater portion of the Temperance party On the side of the Conservatives were the large landowners and their representatives, and the satellites of the brewery companies. The result could scarcely be deemed doubtful, as so far as the balance of power between the two parties is concerned the women’s vote has made no important difference. We hold the opinion that we expressed prior to the election, that all things being equal, women would vote in the same direction ns their male friends. Every inquiry that we have since made confirms this view.

But it must not be supposed from the foregoing that the women’s yote has been useless. On the contrary, it has been most potent for good. The temperance party has gained immensely. Liberal candidates, who would ha e been acceptable but for their want of sympathy with the direct vetoiats, have been rejected, and Conservatives who favoured the direct control of the liquor traflic have been elected. Sanguine persons claim that the Temperance party have an absolute majority in the House, and even non-Temper-ance people admit that by acting with the remains of the Opposition the Temperance party could fore* the Government to carry out their wishes.

Then the present Parliament is a cleansed and purified one. A number of M H.ll.’s, whose reputation has been unsavoury, have been rejected, even though professing the popular creed in politics. We have no hesitation in saying that the morale of the present House of Representatives is immeasurably higher than that of any former one.

Another feature of the election calls for notice. The Roman Catholic Church bus long asserted a right to Government aid to denominational schools. During the election a strong rally was made of its supporters, and candidates were chosen for whom the members of that .Church were specially directed to vote. A move in the same direction was also made by a section of the Episcopal Church. The new Parliament contains a much smaller number of denominatioe.alists than the old one ! We offer no opinion as to whether this is a desirable state of things or not. But it effectually disposes of the old cry that women would vote as the priests directed. Correspondence. No sooner had the electric wires Hashed the good news that our women were enfranchised, than fast and thick came the messages of warm congratulation, not only from the various Suffrage Societies, but from individuals who were especially interested in the movement. We wish to acknowledge with grateful thanks Mrs Fawcett’s cheering' letters; also those from Miss Helen Blackburn, editress of the “ Englishwoman’s Review,” and Secretary to the Central Committee of the National Society for Women’s Suffrage, London. In Miss Blackburn’s last letter she enclosed the following resolution, passed by her committee on October 4th, 1893:—“ That the Committee has heard with extreme gratification of the final passage of the Women’s Suffrage Bill in New Zealand, after fifteen years of effort. They tender their heartiest congratulations to the Franchise Department of the NZWCTU, that New Zealand is the first among the English colonies to place this measure of justice on the Statute Book, and they regard it as a step gained for the movement in all other parts of the Empire.” ! Lady Henry Somerset and Miss Willard | forwarded their warm congratulations, and I expressed the pleasure that our victory gave them. From America we were honoured by a letter from that noble veteran in the fight. Miss Susan B. Anthony, who wrote, “ rejoicing ” with ns on the very day that Colorado won her suffrage victory. Mrs Purington, National Superintendent of Franchise for the W.C.T.U. of America, also wrote, expressing gladness and sympathy. From Australia we had messages from Mrs Kirk, General Secretary for the Victorian W.Qi T.L. ; Mrs C. P. Wallace, Australasian Franchise Superintendent ; Mrs Nicholls, President W.C.T.U. of South Australia ; and Miss George, Corresponding Secretary of that Union ; Mrs Ward, Colonial Franchise Superintendent for New South Wales; and Miss Windeyer, Secretary to the Womanhood .Suffrage League of New South Wales.

Mr John Vale cabled his congratulations on behalf of the Victorian Alliance. Letters were received from several friends of the movement in different parts of Australia, who, being roused by our success, were anxious to start societies for the promotion of suffrage education, and wished for information as to methods of "work, etc, Lhere is only one letter from a private individual to which we feel called upon to refer. It was from Mrs Muller, of Blenheim, who wrote saying that for fifty years she had been a warm advocate of the franchise; that

r 1869 -she had published a pamphlet [. on the subject, a copy pf which she . forwarded. In closing her letter she wrote t —“ I am an old woman now, but I thank God I have been able to register myself an elector, and I now look forward with hope.” During the Parliamentary session Sir John Hall advised us in his usual prompt, courteous manner, using the telegraph freely, but, writing when necessary for detailed communication. We are indebted also to Mr Saunders for letters and telegrams of advice bearing on the Franchise question. ('ommunication with the various Unions and Leagues was, at critical times, conducted chiefly by delayed telegrams. This method was found most convenient, saving time in transmission and labour in writing. Put, of course, a large amount of ordinary correspondence bad to bekept up during the year. Your Superintendent wishes to thank the Union and League Secretaries for their unvarying courtesy towards her, and the readiness with which they adopted any suggestion made by her. Methods or Wo me. Since the enfranchisement- of women in New Zealand your Superintendent has received a number of communications asking for particulars of the methods we adopted in our agitation. This fact has led us to think that an epitome of the means we have employed may be of service to workers in other parts. We have first endeavoured to enlist the active co-operation of every member of our Unions, by pointing out the fact that work in many of our departments, such as Temperance, protection of women and children, charitable aid, management of hospitals,, asylums, and inebriate homes, the abolition | of legalised vice, and so on, was largely affected by enactments by Parliament. We had found by experience that the representations of non-voters were disregarded, and so urged that every earnest worker should strive for political power. Pamphlets and leaflets bearing on the enfranchisement of women were procured from England, America, and Australia, in addition to which a number were prepared and printed locally. These were freely distributed among societies and at agricultural shows and other places where large concourses of people were assembled. Efforts were made to induce debating societies to appoint an evening fertile discussion of the subject, and, when, necessary, books were lent to our supporters so that they might be primed with facts and, arguments and the opinions of leading men. We urged those of our friends who had seats at the annual synods of religious bodies, or who were members of political or similar organisations, to endeavour to have resolutions passed affirming the justice and desirability of womanhood suffrage. In some localities drawing-room meetings were held, while in others afternoon meetings for women ware held in some church schoolroom. Frequent paragraphs and correspondence in the daily papers was a most valuable method of educating public opinion. In some places arrangements were made with a friendly editor to set apart a column for items connected with the subject. Our friends in Parliament were continually corresponded with. We cannot say that we stimulated their zeal, yet by affording them information we were able to keep them in touch with the movement, and afford them assurance that the question was one of practical politics, and not merely an abstract one. During elections,, candidates were questioned as to theit" views, both privately and publicly. But probably one of the most useful methods of work was by means of petitions. Quite apart from the effect of the petitions on Parliament, the mere asking of women to give theirsignatures was extremely beneficial from an educational point of view. Those whoobjected to sign wore asked their reasons, and the opportunity of pointing out the weaknessof their objection was taken advantage of. Women who were doubtful about signing, because they had not seriously thought about the matter were induced to study the subject. Other women who had boon favourable from an abstract point of view were easily roused by the prospect of the suffrage being treated seriously, and became themselves ardent workers.

In all this it will be seen that we kavo discovered no new methods, no royal road. We believe that tne secret of our success lies in the facts that those men and women who were interested in Womanhood Suffrageworked hard and continuously, and that the W.C.T.U. afforded the necessary organisation for directing their efforts. Conclusion. In conclusion we wish to point out that the enfranchisement we have attained is but the beginning of the work of the franchise department. Constant work will be necessary to induce women to avail themselves of their new privileges. Laws need altering for the: protection of our sex and those dear to us. On women devolves the special duty of seeing that our legislators are men who honour purity and probity more than party, men towhose names the title of “ Honourable” is a fitting prefix, and not a biting sarcasm. We believe that our women realise this obligation.. Tke result of the recent election in this respect has filled us with high hope. For the first time in the history of the English people have the Mothers joined hands with the Fathers in governing their land. We believe that peace and blessing will flow from such a union, and that the year 181)3 is tke beginning of a new and happy era. KATE W. SHEPPARD, .New Zealand Franchise Superintendent, Woman’s Christian Temperance Union