JUBILEE OBSERVANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 September 1943, Page 3

JUBILEE OBSERVANCE

EXTENSION OF FRANCHISE TO WOMEN. GATHERING IN MASTERTON. The jubilee of the extension of the franchise to women was celebrated in the Y.M.C.A. Rooms, Masterton, last night when Miss C. E. Kirk, of Wellington, addressed a good attendance of women. Mrs J. Robertson, who presided, said it was fitting that the W.C.T.U. should call the meeting as they were largely instrumental in getting votes for women. After getting the vote, many women did not appreciate their rights as they should. In New Zealand there were 55,300 more females than males. Mrs Robertson quoted Premier R. J. Seddon’s words: “In the legislation of which we boast in the great social advance we have made I say that women are behind it all. I say furthermore that in the respect of progressive measures—in the respect of that which is good for the life of others women are keener and more determined than the lords of creation.” That, said Mrs Robertson, was a tribute to the women of Seddon’s day and a challenge to the women of today. Miss Kirk, in outlining the work of early workers for women’s franchise, said that criminals, lunatics and women were denied the vote. In 1891, 10,085 names appeared on a petition to Parliament, asking for the extension of the franchise to women; in 1892 there were 20,274 names and in 1893 31,874 names. The latter was the largest petition then presented to Parliaments in Australia or New Zealand. She urged the intelligent use of the vote by women.