Outlines of the women's franchise movement in New Zealand/Conclusion
CONCLUSION.
"WHAT has been the effect of the enfranchisement of women in New Zealand?" is a question that is frequently asked. A full and complete answer to that question cannot yet be given. But as nearly eight years have elapsed since the Parliamentary franchise was given to women,*[1] and during that period three general elections have been held, it is possible to attempt a partial reply. In the first place it may be said that a number of anti-franchise arguments have been proved to be fallacious. 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. So far from being insulted they are respectfully welcomed at the polling booths. As the ballot is absolutely secret a want of courtesy would be a political folly, and the contending parties vie with each other in respectful attention to women. It is no exaggeration to say that the presence of women has fairly transformed the elections. The riotous horseplay of bygone days has disappeared, and election day, with its flowers and gay dresses, has become a semi - festival, bright and decorous.
Another phantasy that haunted the precincts of the Upper Chamber and that caused a number of the Legislative Councillors to implore the Governor to refuse his sanction to the franchise has also been laid to rest. They said that the enfranchisement of women would disastrously affect the financial equilibrium of the Colony and would shatter its credit in London.
It is pleasant to reflect that peace of mind has been restored to those venerable Senators, for the past eight years have shown a record of uninterrupted prosperity. 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. King Alcohol has not been, suddenly deposed, nor have vice and crime entirely disappeared.
But to those who claimed for women the right to vote on the ground that they were responsible human beings, and who believed that the granting of that act of justice would be of benefit to the community, there has come an ample confirmation of their belief. The temperance vote has been increased threefold, and if ten per cent, of votes can be won from the other side, the temperance party will have an absolute majority at the end of next year.[2] Although still disfiguring our Statute Books, the CD. Acts are a dead letter, the Bill for their repeal has been passed several times by the House of Representatives, and they are only retained by the obstinacy of a number of the Legislative Councillors who have a life tenure of their office.
An equal standard of morality has been set up, and the conditions of divorce have been made the same for both sexes. Women may now recover damages for slander without having to prove special damage. Women have been admitted to the practice of law in our Courts. Legal separation can be obtained summarily and without expense, thus giving protection to working women against worthless husbands. By the Testators Family Maintenance Act a man is prevented from willing away his property without making suitable provision for his wife and family. Pensions for the aged poor, both sexes being treated equally, have been provided. An Act for the establishment of Inebriate Asylums has been passed and is just being put into operation. Labour laws in which the health of women and girls is carefully guarded, their hours of labour limited, their holidays fixed, and the payment of a minimum wage enforced, have been passed. The principle of the economic partnership of husband and wife has been recognised in at least two Acts. The Criminal Code has been amended in the direction of purer morals. An Act has been passed to regulate the adoption of children. The Infant Life Protection Act is to prevent baby farming. Servants Registry Offices have been brought under regulation, greatly to the advantage of girls and women. 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. One of these, Mr H. D. Lloyd, of America, in lecturing on this Colony to an audience at Berlin, said: "In most countries civilisation is an excrescence, in New Zealand it is an efflorescence." Without wishing to exaggerate, it may be safely said that the advent of women into the politics of this Colony has been a great moral gain. The welfare of the home, the protection of the weak, the causes of crime, of poverty, the best methods of education, are being sought for with a zeal and earnestness that is almost inspiring.
Much remains to be done, mistakes may be made and have to be rectified, but we have now a unity of heart and brain that cannot fail to ultimately triumph over evil.
Finis.