Today, 8th September 1893, was rather a rather auspicious one in New Zealand, for it was the day that the Electoral Act 1893 was passed by the Legislative Council. It did take nearly another couple of weeks to become law, but on 19th September, the Governor, Lord Glasgow, signed the paperwork and finally all women were allowed to vote. This was far sooner than many other countries, like Britain, who had to wait until well after the First World War.
This change in the New Zealand law was the result of years of campaigning by the New Zealand Suffrage Movement, led by Kate Sheppard. In 1891, 1892 and again in 1893, they compiled huge petitions calling on Parliament to give the vote to Women. Kate has also been recognised on the New Zealand $10 note, a couple of which I still have from my trips there.
This change in the New Zealand law was the result of years of campaigning by the New Zealand Suffrage Movement, led by Kate Sheppard. In 1891, 1892 and again in 1893, they compiled huge petitions calling on Parliament to give the vote to Women. Kate has also been recognised on the New Zealand $10 note, a couple of which I still have from my trips there.