Page:Outlines of the women's franchise movement in New Zealand.djvu/33

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Movement in New Zealand.
17

One would hardly have expected a measure of this nature to emanate from Sir Julius Vogel. His great energies had hitherto been devoted to legislation intended to develop the natural resources of the colony and to promote its commercial and material prosperity. His undoubted sagacity and keen foresight was rather that of a shrewd speculator than that of a philosopher or reformer. It is probable, however, that, although the Bill was introduced by Sir Julius Vogel, the conception was due to other members of the Cabinet. Advanced Liberals of such calibre as Sir Robert Stout and Mr Ballance could hardly fail to strongly influence the policy of the Minis-