THE Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1891. FEMALE FRANCHISE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2246, 27 August 1891, Page 2

THE Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1891. FEMALE FRANCHISE.

The Female Franchise Bill has been carried in the House of Representatives by a majority of four to one, i This is a most sweeping majority, and ' ought to secure for the measure a safe passage. J.t is true that several members did not yote at all, but they 1 are not worth counting. The representative who skulks out au,d peglects to vote when questions of great junportance to the country, and in which intense interest is felt are before the House, is unworthy of the trust reposed in him. He is cowardly and unmanly, and unfit for the representation of the People. It appears to us too little attent/oR is paid to this point. Why should representatives of the people who receive pay, and take upon themselves the responsMMes, absent themselves from divisons ? 'Whit are they in Parliament for? What do pfrey receive an honorarium for ? If a man in any other sphere of life neglect Ijs position in a critical moment, what is

done with him ? He is simply dismissed and that is exactly what ought to be done with members of Parliament who neglect their business, and absent themselves from divisions of the House. We find that on the occasion of the Female Franchise Bill nearly half the members were absent, and among those whose names did not appear on the division list is that of Mr Rhodes, [n connection with this it is Ave think time that it Avas pointed out that it is very seldom Ave see Mr Rhodes’ name in a division list. He is more frequently to be found amongst the “pairs,” and as Ave have been very often asked to explain this “ pairs ” system, it may as Avell be done hoav. Pairs are arranged as follows :—A member may desire to be absent for a time, and he goes to the Avhip of the other side of the House, and asks whether there is any one on that side who desires to be absent at the same time. The Avhip finds out some one Avho desires to be absent, and then both these members agree not to vote on a certain division, and then they are a “pair” who abstain from voting, one being for the question and one against it, Mr Rhodes is more frequently amongst the pairs than any where else, and this shows tAvo things : jt shoAVs first of all that instead of attending the House Mr Rhodes attends someAvhere else, and it shoAvs that he is determined not to be convinced by debates; that in fact he is not open to reason. On the occasion of the Female Franchise Bill he absented himself like a great many more, and he certainly deserves the strongest condemnation for doing so. We have more respect for Mr Fish who remained, and fought the battle out than for those who absented themselves, although, indeed, Mr Fish’s actions and utterances Avere anything but respectable. One would have thought that the large majority Avould have been sufficient for him, and that he Avould have yielded to the inevitable, but instead of that he began to abuse the Government for having given Sir John Hall facilities for bringing forward the measure, and he said that if Mr Rolleston moved a motion of “ no confidence,” he would support it. It is fortunate for the Government that they can get on Avithout Mr Fish’s support, as indeed he is a very Aveak reed to lean on. Mr Fish’s support is not worth having, as no Government can retain it who does not give Mr Fish all his own Avay. We may, however, excuse Mr Fish and indeed Mr Fisher, for their opposition to the Female Franchise Bill. They knoAv that as soon as Avomen have votes, they Avill never again obtain seats in Parliament. They know that, and consequently they may be pardoned for fighting for their political existence. One certain elfect the extension of the franchise to Avomen Avill have, and that is, that none but men of decent character will be elected. We feel certain of this result, and that, therefore, a higher moral tone will pervade politics. This in itself is a great thing, and consequently Ave are glad to find the measure is in a fair Avay to become law. It has, hoAvever, to run the gauntlet in the Upper House yet, but in the face of the majority in favor of it Ave feel sure that even if rejected this session it Avill become law before the next election. Almost all the respectable politicians on both sides of the House are in favor of it, only the rag-tag-and-bob-tail oppose it, and under such circumstances Ave think it is sure to pass, if not this session befgre very long.