The Dawn (Sydney, NSW : 1888 - 1905)(about) |
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Monday 6 April 1891
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WOMAN'S SUFFRAGE.
AN effort is to be made to get the women's unions in the different parts of Queensland to take «p the Suffrage Question. If women could once have it brought home to them that the question of the vote is an economic one ; that their vote or uo vote really means the price of their day's work, and the condition under which it is done, they would take more lively interest in the matter than they do at present. The vote also would be a bond of union among them and promote an esprit de corps which is now wanting. They would then have the feeling of responsibility which arises in those who have a trust placed in their hands and the knowledge that if that trust is not used honestly and efficiently the loss to them selves consequent on an ill-used trust, is justly deserved. The possession of a political vote raise women in their own eyes. They would question and discuss and procure information on subjects on which the use of their vote would give them a voice. They could join with effect in the agitation for a statute day of light hours ; they could make their sentiments known on the subject of free education ; of technical education ; on sanitary matters ; on laws touching immorality, and drunkenness, on overcrowding, on all which subjects women have a vital interest. Working women now take no interest in the matter of getting a vote, because they think their condition hopeless ; they cannot see thc way to improve
ment. Teach them that the vote would render them able to have a say as to the value of their work, and as to the share of that value that is to come to them, the workers, and they would soon rouse themselves from their apathy. It is because women do not yet understand the meaning of woman's suffrage, and that they do not comprehend what good it can do them, that they are heedless and indifferent. The Trades' Union is a grand step taken toward the Suffrage. Let women meet together : let them have some bond of union, some subject in which all are interested, let them begin to discuss among themselves what they want to make their lives less hard and how to get it and they will soon see that they mu9t have a vote if they ever want to rise out of the poor hard worked class they have been hitherto. If they can have a voice in returning a member of Parliament the member will be quick to bring in measures that will secure them the
"Women's vote.