William Sidney Smith

“ In Dunedin, too, Mr H. S. Fish, the arch-opponent of Woman Suffrage in the House of Representatives, this year found his Waterloo. An able man, with great pugnacity, Mr Fish had been most successful in obtaining civic honours, and this year aspired to the Mayoral chair. His candidature was strongly supported by the liquor trade and the opponents of the enfranchisement of women. A coalition was formed of the Franchise League and the various temperance organisations to oppose him, and after a most exciting struggle Mr Fish met with a crushing defeat. ”

“ 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. ”

“ The Government had resolved that this should form part of the measure and desired to see it become law during that session. They had left out what might be considered a part of woman's franchise, namely, that women should become members of that House. ”