A letter on Women's Franchise

*THE WORKER*

Brisbane June 30, 1894

Another Young Women on the Franchise.

Dear WORKER – I should like very much to reply (as far as I am capable) to “School Teacher's” letter on Women's Franchise, which appeared in your issue of the 23^rd. She says “about four years ago she was great enthusiast on women's rights,” but I doubt if she ever seriously thought on the matter, or perhaps her enthusiasm received a severe blow when she found the vast majority of women did not take the interest in matter she expected. It shows a little want of thought to say “ the average man is on the Labour side and the woman on the other,” meaning the Conservative, and making it a reason why woman should not have a vote. The average man is nothing of the kind; the average man is a fool, who thinks with his eyes. If it were not so, wage slavery would be a thing of the past and we should be experiencing something like “Socialism in our time.” Woman's Franchise is not a question of intellectual equality or of benefiting the Labour Party.

It is a demand based on the grounds of Justice, and as such it must be recognised and fought for. There is no foundation for the fear that giving woman equal political rights with man would cause her to use it so that it would prove detrimental to her own interests. We can but look at facts. So far, women have not acted in that manner. Men have been busy in brief intervals in looking after their own rights, but have quite neglected woman, who must now step into the ranks and do battle for herself. Women have suffered equally with men in the great battle for Liberty, but have not equally shared the benefits, small though they be. Even amongst our advanced men, I'm sorry to say, there are some who are opposed to granting women their rights. They feel and declaim against the present rotten state of society, where the workmen are in a state of dependence on the capitalists, but the same men refuse to see that the dependence of woman on man is equally pernicious – it touches nearer home. I do not believe that all women are angels and all men devils, but believe in many things they are just about equal, and considering his many advantages man does not show the moral and mental superiority one would expect.

I would like “School Teacher” to regain her old enthusiasm and do her utmost to obtain for women some of the benefits of civilisation. After all it matters but little if we obtain them for ourselves; the sweetness of the battle is when fighting for others. Think of the future generations to come and endeavour to make their lot easier than ours.

Maryborough     A.A.P.