WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 71, 19 March 1912, Page 3

WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE.

OPERATION IN NEW ZEALAND. The following is the letter from Lady Stout, of New Zealand, published iu the Manchester Guardian of February 2, to which reference was made in a London cablegram:— “Will you kindly allow me to correct several mis-statements on the results of women’s suffrage in Now Zealand which were made at a meeting in Manchester. “Mrs Norris is reported to havesaid that woman’s suffrage in New Zealand was obtained by a. trick, and had proved disastrous. The Suffrage Bill was passed three times in the .House of Representatives by large majorities, and finally passed the Upper House by two votes. There was some underhand work for the purpose of defeating the measure, which did not succeed, so Mrs Norris has been misinformed as 'to the trick. “The statements that the rosi.il has been disastrous is really too absurd to require a reply. Every candidate at the election, which has -just taken place gave unstinted praise to the women. If the vote had.:been disastrous why has no man ever proposed to repeal the Act? Men are in a majority of-(10,000, and if they.did not desire women to vote the repeal of the Act could be easily effected. All decent men welcome, the women’s vote, which is cast for temperance, social and moral reform, and tho protection of the . homo and family. “The birth-rate in New Zealand has increased since the vote, and us now 27.32. In England and Wales it is 21.20, so it is time the ‘Antis’ gave up their political propaganda and returned to their homo duties. In New Zealand women do not require to spend their lives and. energies in 'political work, as they are able to secure the reforms they desire by the exercise of the vote. “I do not wish to make any remarks on Mr Ward’s objections to the vote. The ‘opinions’ of people who do not understand the need of the vote are not of any value when sot' side by side with facts which prove that women’s suffrage has been a success in every part of the world in which it has been tried. The opposition of many of the ‘Antis’ is the most convincing proof of the need of the vote, and the objection to the vote of the class of people ■ who are disappointed with the results is tho strongest argument in its favour. All the forces of evil, drink, gambling, sweated labour, and vice of every form cry out to be saved from tho penalty which they know will result thorn votes for women. ■ , - , ~ |

“If Mrs Norris thinks it very wrong for a young girl to Speak on tho subject of the white slave traffic, I wonder what she thinks of the suffering and degradation of the victims. Every working girl is in danger, and will bo until good women have the poWoi to abolish . the traffic... There is no white slave traffic in New Zealand or Australia. . . I am not giving tier, as an’ ‘opinion,’ but as a fact which I know from my experience of social work. I have the testimony of Sir George, Reid, of ; Australia, and a New Zealand judge to bear me out. I believe, there is no danger of such an evil being introduced into u country 7 in which 'women have political power.”