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The Daily News. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1919. WOMEN AS LEGISLATORS.

The introduction of a Bill to confer the right on women to sit in Parliament marks another step in the recognition of the capabilities of the sex, and of the entrance into the new era of national effort, It is, moreover, the natural sequence of the gift of the franchise, Both the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition paid generous tributes to women's work and intellectual powers, nor could they well do otherwise. One profession after another has been thrown open to women, and they have made good, despite the jealousy and prejudice which they had to encounter and wear down, and the parliamentary barrier is the last that has to make way for their sphere of usefulness. It does not matter whether or not any woman in the Dominion will have the courage to face a general election, but it is to be hoped some will venture, and thereby help to eliminate those objectionable features of electioneering that can well be dispensed with. As advocates of temperance and other causes for the benefit of the people, women have proved to be sound, logical and convincing platform speakers, and have evinced an aptitude for infusing sound common sense into their audiences in a far more effective manner than the generality of men, for they have that special personality and charm in which the prosaic males are lacking. Well educated and well read women are quick to grasp the bearings of most subjects that go to make successful politicians, added to which they have an intuition almost amounting to foresight, while their patience and perseveraHce in mastering details are astounding. In these days women are no longer dependent on men except where mere brute strength is required. If there is one thing that is greatly needed in Parliament it is a refining influence, and that also can the women provide. We have only to remember the work accomplished by the women during the war in order to be convinced that what they undertake they carry out thoroughly, and it is that object lesson which has proved the final factor in the recognition of their right of entry to p .irliament as representatives of :he people—and espeeiallly - their own sex who, thou*- 1 ' '"' N the franchise, :t been allowed to take pa- .. ■ making of the

laws that govern the community. Having built up so far the edifice of equalisation of rights, the coping stone is now needed to give completion to the structure, and there is every reason for confidently believing that the entrance of properly qualified women into both Houses of Parliament will be beneficial to the interests of the country at large. Women's sphere of activity is ever being enlarged. There are questions relating to the moral, social and industrial welI fare of the Dominion upon which ; women can be of invaluable service, and in the coming years, when the struggle for progress and prosperity will be far keener than ever before, the voice of women in the council of State will be urgently needed. Without the admission of women to Parliament the democratic nature of the Dominion's constitution is incomplete, and its full fruition will only be obtained when one or more women sit at the Cabinet table. There is great and pressing work awaiting women in Parliament, and it is gratifying to find that members who took part in the debate—men representative of all classes and parties—welcomed the measure with a true ring of sincerity. All unprejudiced persons must admit that Sir John Findlay struck the right note when he said that when women were admitted to Parliament the progress of the Dominion would be "more rational and more beneficent than it had been under the exclusive regime of men." History abounds with instances of the great influence and diplomacy of women in connection with politics—not always for good, be it admitted—and demonstrating their administrative genius. It will be surprising if the passage of the measure in the Legislative Council is not equally smooth, for opposition there would be as futile as it would be rash and inappropriate. The Government deserves commendation for giving women their full rights, "and the country may rest assured that the step is one that the women have justly earned, and will put to good use in the best interests of the community.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19190930.2.19

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1919, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
731

The Daily News. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1919. WOMEN AS LEGISLATORS. Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1919. WOMEN AS LEGISLATORS. Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1919, Page 4

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