Sunday 30 June 2013
Cause of the Suffrage Movement
The reasoning for the Suffrage movement for women was seen to combat alcohol and its issues caused by male consumption and the influences it had in the household in the 19th century. Women saw they had to moderate the behavior of men in society and therefore they sought to rid of alcohol with their moral views highly against it, particularly the Women's Temperance Union and others such as the the Auckland's Women's Political League (AWPL). This was evident in a statement of the objects of the League which stated:
"1. To recognize no political party, but promote the return to the House of Representatives and other public positions, candidates of good moral character, who are like to act in the interests of the colony, and the true advancement of people."
"2. To secure the means by which women may attain an intelligent knowledge of social and political questions."
"3. To provide opportunities for women to discuss and consider matters of public interest and importance."
"4. To secure injustice to women by the enactment of equitable laws affecting marriage and divorce, the custody of children, injury to the person and social voice."
"5. To secure the right of the majority of the electors who record their votes to control the sale of alcoholic liquors as a beverage, and the suppression of gambling."
This is a primary resource and would be particularly useful to historian in detailing specific goals of these groups in regard to the suffrage movement. However, this could be considered reliable as it is a print document by the AWPL and therefore of there intent, however the bias on the idea of the Suffrage Movement through these objects by the AWPL is significant as it shows the views of goals from only their perspective, not all women working towards women's suffrage and gaining the vote, whom could have completely different views and ideas. Today, articles on Women's suffrage in New Zealand also entail of not only this, but Women getting into parliament such as on Wikipedia page which states that "Women were not eligible to be elected to the House of Representatives until 1919 though, when three women, including Ellen Melville stood. Elizabeth McCombs was the first woman to win an election."
This gives speculation that at the time, there was also bigger objectives rather than those stated and that women were looking towards bigger goals with today ideas of Womens Rights being strong conflict in society with the idea that women are paid less and there is still gender inequality in countries like New Zealand. Whilst however this idea is also backed up by a leaflet published by the Women's Christian Temperance Union:
This piece of primary information gives conflicting ideas on if women wanted more than just what was initially thought, particularly a group such as the Women's Christian Temperance Union which had christian values at heart in their decisions. It is debatable on the fact if whether or not the goal of women's suffrage was the same across the board between different women and their objectives at the time in New Zealand, with some for the better of women whilst some only for moral reasoning.
"1. To recognize no political party, but promote the return to the House of Representatives and other public positions, candidates of good moral character, who are like to act in the interests of the colony, and the true advancement of people."
"2. To secure the means by which women may attain an intelligent knowledge of social and political questions."
"3. To provide opportunities for women to discuss and consider matters of public interest and importance."
"4. To secure injustice to women by the enactment of equitable laws affecting marriage and divorce, the custody of children, injury to the person and social voice."
"5. To secure the right of the majority of the electors who record their votes to control the sale of alcoholic liquors as a beverage, and the suppression of gambling."
This is a primary resource and would be particularly useful to historian in detailing specific goals of these groups in regard to the suffrage movement. However, this could be considered reliable as it is a print document by the AWPL and therefore of there intent, however the bias on the idea of the Suffrage Movement through these objects by the AWPL is significant as it shows the views of goals from only their perspective, not all women working towards women's suffrage and gaining the vote, whom could have completely different views and ideas. Today, articles on Women's suffrage in New Zealand also entail of not only this, but Women getting into parliament such as on Wikipedia page which states that "Women were not eligible to be elected to the House of Representatives until 1919 though, when three women, including Ellen Melville stood. Elizabeth McCombs was the first woman to win an election."
This gives speculation that at the time, there was also bigger objectives rather than those stated and that women were looking towards bigger goals with today ideas of Womens Rights being strong conflict in society with the idea that women are paid less and there is still gender inequality in countries like New Zealand. Whilst however this idea is also backed up by a leaflet published by the Women's Christian Temperance Union:
1. Because a democratic government like that of New Zealand already admits the great principle that every adult person, not convicted of crime, nor suspected of lunacy, has an inherent right to a voice in the construction of laws which all must obey.
2. Because it has not yet been proved that the intelligence of women is only equal to that of children, nor that their social status is on a par with that of lunatics or convicts.
3. Because women are affected by the prosperity of the Colony, are concerned in the preservation of its liberty and free institutions, and suffer equally with men from all national errors and mistakes.
4. Because women are less accessible than men to most of the debasing influences now brought to bear upon elections, and by doubling the number of electors to be dealt with, women would make bribery and corruption less effective, as well as more difficult.
5. Because in the quietude of home women are less liable than men to be swayed by mere party feeling, and are inclined to attach great value to uprightness and rectitude of life in a candidate.
6. Because the presence of women at the polling-booth would have a refining and purifying effect.
7. Because the votes of women would add weight and power to the more settled and responsible communities.
8. Because women are endowed with a more constant solicitude for the welfare of the rising generations, thus giving them a more far-reaching concern for something beyond the present moment.
9. Because the admitted physical weakness of women disposes them to exercise more habitual caution, and to feel a deeper interest in the constant preservation of peace, law, and order, and especially in the supremacy of right over might.
10. Because women naturally view each question from a somewhat different standpoint to men, so that whilst their interests, aims, and objects would be very generally the same, they would often see what men had overlooked, and thus add a new security against any partial or one-sided legislation
This piece of primary information gives conflicting ideas on if women wanted more than just what was initially thought, particularly a group such as the Women's Christian Temperance Union which had christian values at heart in their decisions. It is debatable on the fact if whether or not the goal of women's suffrage was the same across the board between different women and their objectives at the time in New Zealand, with some for the better of women whilst some only for moral reasoning.
Consequence of the Women's Suffrage Movement
There was popular belief that New Zealand was the flagship for the Women's Rights Movement for European countries, particularly Australia, England and United States of America. With the women of New Zealand gaining the right to vote 19th September 1893 and voted for the first time on 28th November 1893.
Even in Australia and England, Womens Suffrage was rejected as shown in the following:
These are reliable sources as they are direct information from the time extracted from newspapers the Auckland Star issues, from 7th September 1899 (top) and 6th August 1891 (below). They are also useful as they detail of the failed attempts, before and after the time where New Zealand gained Women's Suffrage.
Australia, as a whole did not gain Women's Suffrage until 1902, United States, 1920 and England 1928.
Whilst New Zealand was the first, there is significant controversy surrounding this with ideas that the only reason it was granted in New Zealand was because of tension between politicians and voting otherwise in spite of each other. Wikipedia page on Women's Suffrage in New Zealand states, "The Legislative Council (upper house) was divided on the issue, but when the Premier Richard Seddon ordered a Liberal Party Councillor to change his vote, two other Councillors were so annoyed by Seddon's interference that they changed sides and voted for the bill, allowing it to pass by 20 votes to 18. Seddon had hoped to stop the bill in the upper house."
This is extremely useful in telling the political thoughts and ideas surrounding the controversy that was women being granted the vote in New Zealand. However, it's reliability is not certain coming from a source such as Wikipedia which is user base created and written.
This causes controversy that if this political upset caused by Seddon had not occurred that New Zealand may not have been granted the vote in 1893.
This is reinforced by the fact that considering New Zealand was supposedly the flagship of Women's Suffrage throughout the world, however despite being first to grant women the vote Women were not eligible to stand for parliament and the first women MP only occurred in 1933.
This in comparison to other countries was late however with England having the first MP Nancy Astor in 1919. Whilst in Australia the ability to stand for parliament it was granted at the same time the vote was granted in 1902 and their first member of parliament was also before New Zealand in 1921.
This brings controversy that Women gaining the vote in New Zealand was not overly successful as a consequence of the Women's Suffrage movement as they fell signficantly behind there after compared to other countries in grant women more rights with regards to Government and Parliament. This brings the question was New Zealand really the flagship of Women's Suffrage or was it only because of a parliamentary incident involving Richard Seddon that caused a mishap that granted Women the vote.
Even in Australia and England, Womens Suffrage was rejected as shown in the following:
 |
| Auckland Star Volume XXII, Issue 185, P5 |
 |
| Auckland Star Volume XXX, Issue 212, P5 |
These are reliable sources as they are direct information from the time extracted from newspapers the Auckland Star issues, from 7th September 1899 (top) and 6th August 1891 (below). They are also useful as they detail of the failed attempts, before and after the time where New Zealand gained Women's Suffrage.
Australia, as a whole did not gain Women's Suffrage until 1902, United States, 1920 and England 1928.
Whilst New Zealand was the first, there is significant controversy surrounding this with ideas that the only reason it was granted in New Zealand was because of tension between politicians and voting otherwise in spite of each other. Wikipedia page on Women's Suffrage in New Zealand states, "The Legislative Council (upper house) was divided on the issue, but when the Premier Richard Seddon ordered a Liberal Party Councillor to change his vote, two other Councillors were so annoyed by Seddon's interference that they changed sides and voted for the bill, allowing it to pass by 20 votes to 18. Seddon had hoped to stop the bill in the upper house."
This is extremely useful in telling the political thoughts and ideas surrounding the controversy that was women being granted the vote in New Zealand. However, it's reliability is not certain coming from a source such as Wikipedia which is user base created and written.
This causes controversy that if this political upset caused by Seddon had not occurred that New Zealand may not have been granted the vote in 1893.
This is reinforced by the fact that considering New Zealand was supposedly the flagship of Women's Suffrage throughout the world, however despite being first to grant women the vote Women were not eligible to stand for parliament and the first women MP only occurred in 1933.
This in comparison to other countries was late however with England having the first MP Nancy Astor in 1919. Whilst in Australia the ability to stand for parliament it was granted at the same time the vote was granted in 1902 and their first member of parliament was also before New Zealand in 1921.
This brings controversy that Women gaining the vote in New Zealand was not overly successful as a consequence of the Women's Suffrage movement as they fell signficantly behind there after compared to other countries in grant women more rights with regards to Government and Parliament. This brings the question was New Zealand really the flagship of Women's Suffrage or was it only because of a parliamentary incident involving Richard Seddon that caused a mishap that granted Women the vote.
Women's Suffrage and significance to New Zealand
The Women's Suffrage movement was significant was and still is significant to New Zealanders as it was a movement that caused what is today Women's Rights movement, which fights for equality between men and women in society. Equality including the right to possess a job of the same power, with the same wage rates and with the elimination of sexist behavior towards women so that they be held on equal terms. It whilst it is controversial if New Zealand was truly the flag bearer in the movement of Women's Suffrage throughout the world it did path the way for it to be accepted more openly in society however even if it was in fact unintentional but through a misdemeanor by Richard Seddon.
In conclusion the event caused for a movement that caused Women to get the ball rolling the the right for Women's Rights and Equality. With the likes of Margaret Thatcher being prime minister of United Kingdom from 1979-1990 and in New Zealand Jenny Shipley whom served as prime minister from 1997-1999. More recently Austrailia witnessed their first female prime minister Julia Gillard from 2010-2013. This shows, whilst the progression was later that the Women's Suffrage movement was and still is significant today in the movement for equality between men and women in the 21st century.
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