FEMALE FRANCHISE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3135, 18 August 1892, Page 3

FEMALE FRANCHISE.

10 THE EDITOR. Sir, —In your issue of Tuesday, 9th intit., a contributor '' C. B." deplores the approaching extension of the franchise to the ladies as likely to inflict a cruel wrong; upon the other sex. May I remark that his letter is puerile, and almost devoid of argument, "C.B.'s" chief objection being that the present Parliament are grappling with the difficulty instead of handing it over, in the customary manner, to tho next party. I am quite prepared to admit with "C.8." that the present Parliament—particularly those members who are temporarily sitting upon the Government benches—are scarcely fit to deal with anything of consequence ; but the benefit to be obtained by procrastination in this vital matter is not so clear. " C.8." also cites in support of his objections a recent case in Auckland as being rather unsuitable for female jurisdiction. Why, Sir, he may, in his innocence, not be awxre of it, hut it is generally understood that at tho afternoon teas—which will, of course, iu future be termed "ladies'concerns"—subjects are calmly discussed that would, so to speak, make an average male voter's hair positively stand on end. "0.3." need have no fear on this score. _ There are, however, some grave objections to the proposal, and wbieh, beinsr generally over-looked, I should, in justice to " C.B. " refer to. The first is, that gianting the ladies a legal vote practically means giving them two, for is it not well known that wives and mothers, nye and sweethearts, too, even now exercise the vote oftener than is ■pecified in the Act, and the position of a male voter, or candidate, who opposed the ladißeC,ticket would be an unhappy one. Another objection, if it may bo classed as Buch, is that the proposed extension of tho franchise would be followed by a prompt exodus from the floor of the House of large numbers of the lejral fraternity who now occupy it, it being well known that the ladies have—perhaps not unjustly—a deep-rooted aversion to that profession. It would, perhaps, be difficult to find fault with this, only that it miirht be followed by a corresponding advent of the clerical party, who are noted for standing well with the ladies, and the announcement of succassful meetings held by the Rev. Stiggins and Co. would probably become quite common in your columns. But putting aside these rather serious objections, if the present Government succeed in extending the franchise to women, thoy will, at least, have done sornethiug towards repairing the damage caused by recent class legislation. We may rest assured that an intelligent woman is about the last person in the world to be deluded by the transparent nationalistic and socialistic propoganda whioh. as "C. B." would say (carried to its logical conclusion), means that tho products of industry and sobriety are to be shared with every drunken loafer that comes along.—l am, &c, One of the Wronged Sex.

TO THE EDITOtt. Sir, —I see by your issue of August the 9tli a letter signed " C.8." wherein the writer speaks against extending the franchise to women. Now although his article was well written, I don't agree with his opinions. A few years ago, I took the same view of the subject as ho does, hut I have altered my opinions, and for what, I think are very good reasons. We have now to all intents and purposes, " Manhood suffrage," which I hold is not conducive to the welfare of a young country like this. So by giving women the power to vote, it will to a great extent counteract its evil effects. Under the present law, every man has a vote. A man, we will say, comes into the district, his property is what he carries on his back, and his labour. Are his interests identical with those of the bona fide settlers? Certainly not. The former will vote according to his light (and who can blame him) to get as much money borrowed and spent on public works as possible, reaardless, whether that money is profitably laid out or not, all he wants is plenty of work at high wages. The settlor will be more prudent, knowing that it ig he who will have to pay the " piper," no matter who does the dancing and therefore will bo careful to elect the best men. So if his wife has a vote, he will have as it were, a double purchase, as most wives will vote in accordance with their husbands' wish. Now, I havo nothing to say against a working man having a vote. I say he is entitled to the privilege, if he is settled in the district, but it is the men, that are hero to-day, and away to-morrow, those are the men I object to, they have no right to make laws for others to obey, tbeythemselves, clearing out at the first blast of the tempest. I cannot agree with "CB." when he says this matter has beeii sprung on the country by surprise, for to my knowledge, it has been bofore the public for some years, and as near as I can recollect Mr Lake s: id he was in favour of it. As for effecting a cruel wrong upon the other sex, well, a woman need not vote unless she likes, it is optional whether she goes to the poll or not, and if reports are true, a great many are in favour of it. Neither does it follow, because women have got the franchise, they should be entitled to a seat in the House, and " U. 8." himself has given a very good reason for that, in stating the case of the Auckland Education Board's late investigation. No doubt it would look rather odd to sec, we will Hay, a man and his wife returned to Parliament and the wife becoming Premier and the husband Minister for Public Works under her. We would then have petticoat Government iu no mistake, of cotuve, such a thing is not likely to happen. I think in the latter part of " C.B.'s " letter his arguments arc rather farfetched when ho says, '' It would be taking women out of her sphere." She need not leave her ' sphere," and still have a vote, without in any way depriving her of her womanliness, I maintain flie has a perfece right to have a voice, iu electing those who make laws that flic bus to obey. Now I don't think the majority of the fex, cure much whether they get it or not, but a great many I believe are clamouring for the privilege. To sum up, 1 look upon the execution of tlw "franchise " to women, as au necessity, in order to ensure a better representation in Parliament.—l ga'w, etc. H. Room:. Obaupo, 16th August, 189^,