WOMEN AND VOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 316, 1 June 1911, Page 3

WOMEN AND VOTES.

•To the Editor. Sir, —As a woman voter I wish to express my dissatisfaction with a few ideas in your article of the 7th inst. You say, "It is curious that in countries where women have obtained the privileges of a vote they arc not specially or aggressively militant." I may not see your point, but why should they fight "for what they already possess? Your paper, generally, in my estimation, upholds for reform and forward movements. Why then are you against women in Great Britain making an elFort to secure the vote ? Their methods may not always be wise, but were those employed by Englishmen considered wise at the time when they were fighting for the Ballot. My respect for the mere (English) man would be greater if he would rise against the present system, and insist, •<? New Zealand has done,' on one maft (and one Woman) one vote, and not leave the women to fight alone for theirs. By merely making this statement "a vote has been a small means to ft possible end," nothing is proved. X contend the vote for women is needed in England, because until the women have a vote mothers will not realise the power thfrre is in being able to vote out the bad laws and bring in the new and better ones. Why should a womantwho goes through all the struggle and aiwicty of maternity have no hand in helping by her vote to frame the laws for the good of her children 1 And who in the name #f common-sense sheuld have some power in the making of protective laws if not the mother - ; There are bad and] cruel laws in the Old Country concerning the rigl*ts of the father over tllß Riolliev,! ami until tfccw 3 1 '? modified and in gome cases abolished, I\4 tligughtfvl man or woman should carelessly dismiss tlie sill 1 - ject with a word of scorn for the sufI fragetbs". Iu jonclusioiij I think' men New Zealand an? inclined to think fe{' 11 n ' passive' and even earele'sj lifioiU fliou voto ' l>nt try *0 take it ! away ami see wllitt ,'. vni| ld happen! years ago. tfhen a '•'lietf I wen.' l to record my first vnte, and V'tx'7 F 0 "' 1 Vwas. to. do so, mid even took my .little tfs tighter so.th.iit 1. might tell her "wIC a Soman grown" (io.tr she wont as n baby to liie polling booth. Thanking you in Anticipation.—T am, etc.. TJ'/F: POSSESSOR of 'A VOTE.