THE FEMALE FRANCHISE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2565, 7 October 1893, Page 2

THE FEMALE FRANCHISE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —So the franchise has at last been extended to women. I wonder what new burden they will be asked to take up next' Yei 'ity mau ' s selfish, and if this new"scheme works, we may expect, with a little flattery and persuasion, to see women before long take all the heavy burdens upon thejr own shoulders. They are now told tha* they must study pojiticg ia order to vote wisely and well. Politics to the ordinary hard-working woman, who has a family to look after and a house to manage, is a very uninteresting subject, and I ihink her leisure, which is a thing she but seldom gets, would much rather be spent in something more c6ng6S?al to her taste. If the time which she is advised fca {jive to politics was devoted to instructing her phpr§n in. Christian principles and truth she iPQuld. miwh better serve her country's goo - Children begin to learn when they can t4k, and are always with or near their mother, and consequently what they learn from her, has a very beneficial, effect in their future life. If the future members of the Legislature h:vva to be mem of uprightness, truth and integrity—which I don't say they a** noi at present—their ranks will have to be refilled from thp rising generation, who, to serve thefp country honestly and well, must make Christianity the foundation of their action. And when eau they better get that training than from their mother ? If th§ upper class of women, who have fnorg time at their disposal, study politics and vote, they will certainty induce all their female servants to vote also, and of course they will vote the way thef r mistresses wish them, for I don't think servants will bother themselves much about the worth and usefulness of the members to be elected. So we may expect to see a very one-sided Government in power. New has pasaod through y eE y

trying times, but Bhe is now entering upon one of the most severe teßts ever put upon her. Finbm Respice. Woodbury.