William Sidney Smith

“ To fully describe his career would be to write the political history of the Colony. Colonial Secretary, Postmaster-General and Premier, has Sir John been, and whether in office or out, his enormous capacity for work, and his acute intellect, have made him a conspicuous figure and a man to be counted with. Courteous, keen, alert and wary, a past-master in the art of political tactics, who has never lost an election, a more skilful general of the Woman's Franchise Parliamentary forces could not have been found or desired. ”

“ In his speech, Sir John pointed out that the principle on which the Electoral Franchise in the colony was based was that every resident adult had the right to a voice in making the laws by which he was governed. Mr Gladstone had said, "All who live in a country should take an interest in that country, love that country: and the vote gives that sense of interest, fosters that love." ”

“ The contrast between the violent vituperation of the Anti-Suffragists and the reasonable argument of the Suffragists was greatly in favour of the movement.
Early in the session of Parliament Sir John Hall gave notice that on the motion for the committal of the "Registration of Electors Bill" he would move, "That it be an instruction to the Committee to make provision for the extension of the Parliamentary Franchise to women." But like a wary and experienced general he determined to make a reconnaisance in force before the actual battle should take place. ”

“ Among those convinced of the wrongfulness of debarring women from a share in the making of laws under which they lived and, in many cases, suffered, was Dr James Wallis. A man of education and rhetorical power, a wide reader and an acute thinker, he was in many respects well fitted to be the forerunner of the humanitarian legislation of later days. ”

“ Of the pioneer party of settlers who arrived in Nelson by the Fifeshire in September, 1841, Mr Alfred Saunders was the first to land. He was a born reformer. A Temperance worker in England, his principles emigrated with him, and on the voyage he formed the first New Zealand Temperance Society, with a membership of five;—a little society, truly, but probably the first of its kind in the Southern seas, and important, therefore, as being the herald of the Temperance crusade in the new hemisphere. ”

“ It seemed absurd that a man just out of gaol had a vote while the woman who had supported his children had none. Women were equally interested with men in everything affecting good government. It had often been said that a woman's sphere is at home among her children. ”

“ The interests and health of shop girls have been safe-guarded, and amendments have been made in the Industrial Schools Act. In addition to the above measures, all of which directly affect women and children, much time and consideration have been given to the passing of laws which affect more or less the social life of all classes. The nature of our recent legislation has been so pronounced as to attract the attention of thinkers outside the Colony, some of whom have visited New Zealand in order to study the effect of its legislation first hand. ”

“ Womanhood Suffrage was one of the most prominent questions raised at the last election, and every candidate, I believe without exception, declared himself as either favourable or antagonistic to the enfranchisement of women. ”

“ One of her most cherished wishes was that New Zealand should lead the way in the enfranchisement of women. Mrs Müller has lived to see her desire accomplished. Over eighty years of age, she still lives at New Amersfoort, Blenheim. Frail in body, but with a youthful heart and still vigorous intellect, Mrs Müller rejoices to see the work begun with pain and difficulty fifty years ago brought at last to a successful completion. ”

“ With reference to the alleged inferiority of woman's brain the University results had answered the intellect question. "We cannot afford," he said, "to bid women stand aside from the work of the nation, we need all their spirit of duty, their patience, their energy, in combating the sorrow, sin, and want that is around us." ”

“ Dr Wallis accepted the suggestion, but by an adroit use of the forms of the House the motion was prevented from coming on again.
On August 13th, while still under the impression that the Government would afford a special opportunity for the discussion of his motion as to the enfranchisement of women, Dr Wallis advocated a universal suffrage, arguing that there was "an educative virtue in the franchise." "That Government," he said, "is noblest and best which trains the people best, and which qualifies them to perform the most important duties—the duties of citizens. ”

“ By an overwhelming majority, the members of the Women's Christian Temperance Union based the claims of women for enfranchisement on the ground that they were human beings, and therefore worthy of self-government in a self-governing colony. ”

“ Opponents used to declare that the extension of the franchise would result in much domestic misery because of the political differences of husband and wife. After eight years' experience of adult suffrage a repetition of this well worn argument would bring a broad smile on the faces of a New Zealand audience. As a rule, husbands and wives adopt similar political views. When they do not they apparently agree to differ in a seemly fashion. "Women will be insulted at the Polls" was another bogey that was regularly used, and this also has been consigned to the limbo of the past. ”

“ The constituencies having elected a large majority of representatives who were avowedly supporters of Womanhood Suffrage, the assertion made in clause 3 of the protest forwarded to your Excellency is absolutely without foundation and contrary to fact. I sincerely trust that your Excellency will not allow the action taken by both Houses of Parliament in acceding to the petition of 31,000 women of the colony to be frustrated. ”

“ Incomprehensible as it may seem, there are some minds that shrink from the very idea of being free to think and act as conscience and reason may direct. And just as to-day there are women who are antagonistic to the Removal of Women's Disabilities, so in 1887 there were many who were averse to the claim of enfranchisement. ”

“ Sir John concluded by saying that he had been led by a long consideration of the matter to the conviction that woman is entitled to be placed on a perfect equality with man. If, however, he could not get equality—he would take such measure as he could get. He was aware that those who were prepared to give the whole loaf would vote against those who would give only half a loaf, and that those who would give half a loaf would vote against those who would give the whole loaf, and thus any progress would be imperilled. ”

“ But others have been made by men who should have known better. Notable among these is Mr W. P. Reeves, the present High Commissioner for New Zealand in London.
During the years of the most strenuous agitation in favour of the franchise, he was engaged in the public life of the Colony, and at the time when the long fight was brought to a close he held office as a member of the Cabinet. ”

“ We have no unemployed, taxation has been reduced, the annual budgets have shown large surpluses, and the credit of the Colony in London stands higher than ever before.
It must, however, be admitted that to those ultra-enthusiasts who believed that all virtue and right-mindedness was concentrated in woman, and that the casting of her vote would bring about an immediate millennium, there has been some disappointment. Parliament has not become an assembly of absolutely pure and unselfish men. ”

“ It was meet and right that the work begun by Mrs Müller should be continued and completed by women. Already an organisation had been formed which was to call into existence an irresistible demand by women for more liberty. The Women's Christian Temperance Union of New Zealand had been established, and, in spite of many sneers, women were learning to act in concert and to fit themselves for wider duties. ”

“ Sir John Hall therefore asked Mrs Sheppard, "Would your Union be content to accept the franchise for women who are ratepayers and property-holders, at first, and if they succeed in obtaining that, try for the general franchise afterwards." The question was a difficult one. In establishing manhood suffrage, the colony had declared that the claims of human beings were paramount to those of property. ”

“ The latter drew attention to the means which had been adopted in procuring signatures to a petition against Woman Suffrage which had been presented by Mr Fish. Canvassers had been employed and had been paid so much per hundred names, and many had been induced to sign by representations that this was a petition in favour of the Franchise. Sir John went on to say that the right of petition was a sacred one and ought to be carefully guarded, but the means of obtaining signatures should be carefully watched. The Bill passed its second reading the same day. ”

“ Many rebuffs were met with, and unkind and unpleasant things were spoken of the Franchise Superintendent and those who worked with her. Many good and well-meaning people were honestly shocked that women should be so oblivious of all womanly modesty, as to want to vote at public elections. ”

“ Whatever may have been the immediate causes for the Bill being dropped, there can be little doubt that the time was not yet ripe for the passing of so important a measure. It is always difficult and seldom wise to legislate far in advance of public opinion. ”