1889 — Woman’s Christian Temperance Union Annual Conference, New Zealand

When we were told that “the franchise would make woman unwomanly”, that “she would neglect her home duties on account of it”, that “it would cause dissension between husband and wife,” that “giving women the franchise, would only be giving dual votes to married men,” that “because she cannot fight she should not vote,” that “because of motherhood she has not time to vote,” that “it would demoralise women to associate with men at polling-booths,” that “women are already represented by their fathers, brothers or sons,” that “women do not want to vote” — when we hear of these objections — we feel somehow as if that way of thinking had gone out of date a long time ago. . . unfortunately however, there are still many who have thought very little on the subject at all, and it is for us, who have the earnest desire to take part in the social and political reforms that are so much needed, to influence those who are indifferent or antagonistic to the question, by pointing out the shallowness of the objections above quoted.

Women themselves must take the matter up, feel sure of their ground and then bring all their enthusiasm and personal influence to bear in breaking down the barriers that come between them and their rightful privileges. It is our earnest hope, that before the next general election, our wish in this matter may be accomplished.

The time is coming when women must become accomplished to the idea of taking part in the political world . . . .

Source: Sheppard, Kate. “Address on The Subject of Woman Suffrage” — Leaflet Following 1889 Woman’s Christian Temperance Union Convention, published in The Woman Question: Writings By Women Who Won The Vote, ed. Margaret Lovell-Smith. (Auckland, NZ: New Women’s Press), 1992.

Also: “The Franchise,” The Prohibitionist, 17 June 1893.