FRANCHISE TO WOMEN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2966, 18 July 1891, Page 2

FRANCHISE TO WOMEN.

TO THE KlllTOlt. Sir, —" Whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad," and it appears to me tint they have taken a pioper "deny''on the unfortunate inhabitants of this fair isle. We appear to have got all the latest and most approved " bees in our bonnets,'' ami are going clean " wud " —single tax, land nationalisation, hursting up policy, labour bills, Vaile's railway scheme. These surely were ills enough to have to contend with—but no, the measure of our woe is not completed ; the female franchise must be lidded, and it is to bj reserved to New Zeaiauders, to take the first draught of the " hist and bitter cup of grief that man shall taste." Mr Editor, if I write strongly and make use of strong language i hope you will excuse me, for believe me, I feel strongly upon this 'subject. Notwithstanding your leading article upon this subject, nothing will over persuade me that it is any other than the greatest piece of cruelty to endeavour to force the franchise upon the women of New Zealand. I say "force the franchise," for I honestly believe that the women of this country have no wish to participate in political strife, and that if a plebiscite of the female population were taken, counting those who refrained from voting as against the proposal, the thing would be lost by an immense majority. You will probably say that my objections arc purely of a sentimental nature and as such arc not worthy of grave consideration. 1 will allow that my objections are purely sentimental and 1 say are all the more worthy of consideration for that verv reason. I am one of those old-fashioned sort who saythat too much sentiment cannot be imported into oar relations with the gentler sex. Sentiment for instance, says that a man and wile should live together in harmony as one flesh and one bone ; reason, as laid down by the chief judge in England says, No, there is no occasion for anything of the kind ; a man and a woman though married can live apart and that the marriage tie is all fudge. In this instance, I think sentiment is a long way aiiead of reason. However, to come to the question at issue, things are better as they are in this respect and as they have been for thousands of years. Our sisters are so constituted that they eaim >t possibly take an active and intelligent interest in matters political. Even you admit that they could not sit in our assemblies, and admitting this how can you reconcile your reason to advocating the extension of the franchise to them? "if I wished to be logieal I should fancy the one must follow the other as a natural consequence. The icsult of giving women votes will be that a disturbing element will be imported into many homes where at present peace prevails undisturbed. Kancy, perhaps after a wearisome day of business, and having one's serenity milled by some blatant politician, having to approach the family circle with the certainty of having to enter into a political discussion with one's mother-in-law upon the subject of tho repeal of the C.D. Act, or the suppression of the liquor trallic. Such a prospect is enough to make a man fly to drink as a relief to his sufferings. Again, suppose during a contested election one may have the sanctity of his home invaded by some would-be politician, and his wife and daughters canvassed by men whom, under happier circumstances;, one would kick out of the back door as fast as they came iu at the front. You will perhaps say that from my point of view the giviug of women votes will go a long way to curbing that Radical and .Socialistic feeling that appears to be rapidly paining way. Here, lam sure, you will be mistaken. It will bo the means of more than doubling the votes in I he large centres where access to the polling booths is easy, while women in the country will neither have the time nor the inclination to go miles to a polling booth over bad roads. Take my word for it, Sir, the -whole thing is a mistake, and you will find it so as sure as my name's Jack Robinson.