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.
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