THE FRANCHISE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4517, 7 September 1893, Page 2

THE FRANCHISE.

Its Outks and' Respmibiii- " ties/

The following interesting paper on the above subject was read by the Rev. Jrio. Dukes at the last meeting of the Masterton Women's Christian Temperance Crusade 'As the clause in tho Eleoloral Bill, " dealing with womanhood suQragehas • f now passed 'the third reading in'the" Legislative Gounoil, and there is every probability that , the Bill will be In operation bylhe nextgeneral oleotion, > will you allow me to si#relf con-v gratulate you, that unalienable rights are no longer to be denied, and also permit me to say a few woi'da.on the duties and responsibilities of the'franchise, ? By the way, it is well that wa should remember that this Colony, eo small among tho many dependencies of the Empire, is the first to pronounce ; favourably :on this question, " New Zealand Iwds the way in this branch of - arid I apprehend 1 that few- measures could, have passed our Houses of Lcgiahturo: that wili;p6pu|arise the Colony, and give'outsider's the impression that we aro an advanced and enlightened people, more, thin this will do. More speaking to tlm subjeet announced, let me say that this realised good, is some of the fruit which has grown on the tree of liborty. It is not alwavs easy to find the true* " rise of a mi;!ity river, for thera are so manj tritiut irip>,'even r in its earliest; windings, and it is nut an easy matter to trace these currents of. moral rafiii m to th'eir primary source. Changing the figure, the blo33otii-of which this measure is the fruit—was seen when William Wilb'erforce and others struggled so heroically for the oiDtinoipation of the slaves. Tlmt great and good man assumed the r6la of the prophet, and said to tho noble bond of women associated with him, that tlm wotk in which t.boy were en< gaged would lead to their own emancipation. Bo it will, for sojt has, in some of the States. movement, which has been both body a nd soul to this agitation for the extension of the franchise is the Temperanea cause. This woik has drawn into close and resolute action, a body of earnest men and women of sufficient intelligence to see that as the politics of a nation is tho science of government, and that applied Christianity must reach and govern all; so what' ever differences may have obtained amongst them, in this opinion they • have been united, that there oan he no real lasting reform until there is a vast improvement in the porsoiie/of tho home. Tho aini, therefore, of the Women's Christian Temperance Union haa been, aod is, to g'ive women with men tho powor to determine who shall be their representatives. There is no necessity to discuss the'question whe- ■ ther women■ should arshould not have the Iranohise, for the game is up. ft is a right conceded in this colony at. least, and-much as some fossilized specimens in the Fatherland may dislike it, it will soon bo a faot accomplished at homo, An enlightened writer in the lPeslminsler Review ■ says':-

"It is useless any longer to contend against women entering political lifo. She is in it already partly because she has chosen to. enter it and partly because men saw she: would be a useful ally and invited her to join them. Partlyalso-andtbis isa noble reason—because many liicn believed it waa rifilit Bhe should take hor proper position in the world, both for her own sake and foe that of the country."

Every candid mind will that tho power to voto ia a should be used by tho individual foir the glory of God. There comes with tho right or privilege a corresponding responsibility, Hence the franchise must bo exercised in tha realm of consoience.

(1), There are certain points to be observed by ovory woman obtaining this vote, Presuming that this measure will be in operation at the next general elcotion, it will be the duty o! each and all to see that their names are placed on the electoral roll. (2), To dischargo this duty aright, it will be necessary for you to give some little attention to politics, more particularly to moral politics and domestic legislation. Some men aro horrified at this, They imagine that if their wives aro to take up tho study of politics they will often be short of a button, or the porridge will not ba properly stirred. It is not necessary nor desirable that women should oovor the whole area of politics, and I venture to Bay that no woman witli the cares of a family pressing hard upon her will for a moment want to do so. But surely it is well that every intelligent woman should grasp the main features of the great moral.questions that are stirring tho heart of humanity to day. It is wellifor her, sake, for her children's sake3nd for her husband's sake. Why do so many men sp3nd their ovenings in ilia various clubs talking politics? For one reason because their, wives are entirely ignorunt of these questions, and there can bo no exchango of thought in tli3 home. I am not Warning women for . their want of political knowledge, it is largely duo to the crude and mistaken notions that many have received from their religious teachers, and to the customs of their fathers.

Such dupes are men to custom and so prone To reverence what is ancient and can plead A courso of long observance forjte use, That oven servitude, the woloS® JJoeauso delivered down (rom Birdwson, Is kept and guarded as a sacred thing, I wonder wliettior mon would know any more ot tho subject if thoy bad been kept in the dark as studiously as women have been ? It ia somewhat amusing to hoar interested politicians . express the fear tbat women will not understand politics. ' Ob! 1 says tho party man, ' they will go and undo all the good we have done.' The man who talks in that way has first of all an 1 unco' guid' opinion of himself and his party, and secondly a very imper-. fed knowledge of the way a woman will vote. If the women, by their voting, undo what a political party has done, you may rest ussurod that that party has been doingjtereat deal of mischief, for womwlill. vota straight)- and their voto ivepiire to> say will always bo on the moral side. They will attach no importance whatever to party names. It will concern them in tbe least as to whether a candidato is a Liberal or a Conservative. But is he a respectable man; has he a good .reputation; will he support the DirecWeto; and that • not by a tliree-fifths majority of half ■the electors, but by a true and legitimate majority. Women will ask: " Will you strike at legalised gambling. . and so save our sons,from .ruin?" " Will you by severe enactment smite the leprous rascal, who, poses as a gontleman while ho seeks to ruin our | daughters.?" because if you won'tyou may .go. elsewhere for votes, but youwon't gist mine.' Best assured that will never use it to further the gambling, or lust, We have only to look at the oity of Liverpool to ses '

wbiuh way tlio women will tote, Up ! to 1890 disorderly ho uiiea had i lioi eased to such an extent, and tliis City Council was bo culpably apathetio that tlio, women ware determined the revolutionize the city. They began at the tight end by rolling lip to the poll and voting for those men who we pledged to oleanßG tho city, and what lias been the result, mono month 812 pcreona. were proceeded against, and with a Vigilance ComuiitU assisting the police, Stead tells us that thu whole nefarious business bus been wined, (8). When you bceomo possessed of the votii, use, and nso in according to the dittos of your conscience, It h(ife)Hfi stid that the exercise uf the franchise going to promote domestic misery by engendering strife between husband and wile, Wliero such is tho caso, Ml assured that the

domestio strife was thcro before the

franchise, and if any " lord of creation " would crush a woman's rightof private judgment, or ride roughshod over her couseienc, bo Btamps his own not as a man, but as a tyrant who is not worthy of tlip blessing of a good wifo. There will bo in some casos, doubtless, a diversity of opinion, but, as on every otli*iquestion upon which husband and wife do not think alike, (.hey must " flgtee to differ." In the majority of ca3ea—as tho result of interests in common, as well as of conjugal affection, thov will both see alike, lint whatever may be the poli ical views held, let the vote ho given. Bo not bury your talent in t'ie earth. The fraction of time occupied in going to the poll once in three years must not be begrudged.