Suffragists in WCTU, Political Franchise Leagues and trade unions organised a series of petitions to Parliament: over 9,000 signatures were delivered in 1891, followed by a petition of almost 20,000 signatures in 1892, and finally in 1893 nearly 32,000 signatures were presented – almost a quarter of the adult European female population of New Zealand.[14]
Explains process to gain vote
The NCW called for free and longer education for children and better care and training of those who were orphaned or neglected; it advocated universal old age pensions, prison reform and the abolition of capital punishment.
Shows action taken as consequence of women gaining vote
advocates countered that allowing women to vote would encourage policies which protected and nurtured families.[9]
This shows another perspective behind the movement. This helps me answer my research question "Why might people support women gaining the vote"
Opponents argued instead that politics was outside women's 'natural sphere' of the home and family.
This shows a clear perspective of why people opposed women's suffrage. Many other sources have said similar information making the information valid.
There are also lot's of primary sources of cartoons etc showing this perspective which proves it was true.
During debate, there was majority support for the enfranchisement of Māori as well as Pākehā women; the inclusion of Māori women was championed by John Shera, who was married to a woman of Māori and European descent.[16]
This relates the women's suffrage movement to the larger topic of discrimination.
In 1869, under a pseudonym, Mary Müller wrote An appeal to the men of New Zealand, the first pamphlet on the issue of women's suffrage to be published in New Zealand.[11]
A significant action taken towards women getting the vote.
some historians see colonialism as a temporary step back for women's rights in New Zealand.[8]
Interesting fact regarding struggles towards women getting the vote
Last modified: 16 Jan 2020
Edited recently meaning information should be up to date
names on the suffrage petition is now preserved at the National Library's He Tohu exhibition
Primary source
the Human Rights Commission Act in 1977
This could be considered a primary source to the women's suffrage movement then
Today New Zealand has a comprehensive set of legislation to protect human rights and eliminate discrimination against women.
This would be a consequence of enfranchisement of women because it encouraged reduce political discirimination.
couldn't stand for Parliament until 1919, and the first female MP (Elizabeth McCombs) was not elected until 1933 – 40 years after the introduction of women’s suffrage.
Women being able to get elected was a consequence of women gaining the vote as that was the catalyst for women getting more political involvement.
New Zealand women still had a long way to go to achieve political equality.
This line is opinionated as it imply's it was unfair women still were limited politically.
largest petition ever gathered in Australasia.
Shows the significance of the amount of signatures and shows a big support behind the movement
presented to Parliament in a wheelbarrow.
Interesting information. This also shows how they got the votes to parliament (answering my question "How did women gain the right to vote?"
31,872 signatures were collected during a seven year campaign,
This is a precise number. We can tell the information is valid as many other sources use the same number and since we still have access to a lot of the petitions which would help.
Beyond Suffrage The first meeting of the NCW Three years after the vote was won in 1893, a convention of representatives of 11 women’s groups from throughout New Zealand resolved itself into the National Council of Women (NCW).
Shows consequence of women gaining vote. This helps answer my research question: "What were the consequences of women gaining the vote"
Getting started When the leaders of New Zealand’s women’s movement gathered in Christchurch on 13 April 1896 it was a world first – a national meeting of women who could vote in parliamentary elections.
Consequence
Cartoon opposing women’s suffrage
Primary source which shows opinions of those who opposed enfranchisement of women
They would not gain the right to stand for Parliament until 1919, and the first female Member of Parliament (Elizabeth McCombs) was not elected until 1933 – 40 years after the introduction of women’s suffrage.
Shows there was still sexism against women in politics
In 1891 and 1892 the House of Representatives passed electoral bills that would have enfranchised all adult women. On each occasion, though, opponents sabotaged the legislation in the more conservative upper house,
Shows how the women were opposed the vote throughout the movement
accepted the idea that women were naturally suited for domestic affairs, such as keeping house and raising children. Only men were fitted for public life and the rough-and-tumble world of politics.
Shows the perspectives behind the movement
Pākehā men took part in the colony's early elections from 1853, and universal male suffrage was introduced for Māori men in 1867 and almost all other men in 1879.
This relates the women's suffrage movement to the wider topic of discrimination. This is shown through different races being discriminated against being able to vote.
This also relates to the human right to vote.
They warned that any disturbance of the ‘natural’ gender roles of men and women might have terrible consequences. The liquor industry, fearful that women would support growing demands for the prohibition of alcohol, lobbied sympathetic Members of Parliament and organised their own counter-petitions.
Though this sharing an opinion but done in a neutral way. Now there is probally a bias for most of believing women should have the vote because it has been that way for so long.
This also shows perspectives in the movement by showing why people opposed women getting the vote
This shows value of gender norms and alcohol industry
Suffrage opponents had warned that delicate ‘lady voters’ would be jostled and harassed in polling booths by ‘boorish and half-drunken men’,
Shows this anti-suffragists tried to counter the movement
All women who were 'British subjects' and aged 21 and over, including Māori, were now eligible to vote (the nationhood requirement excluded some groups, such as Chinese women).
Shows outcome
New anti-suffrage petitions were circulated, and some members of the Legislative Council petitioned the governor to withhold his consent.
Shows how people opposed to the movement
Shows values behind movement
Liquor interests petitioned the council to reject the bill.
Shows actions taken in process of enfranchment of women
Victory at last
Biased language showing support of women gaining vote
in 1891 more than 9000 signatures were gathered, in 1892 almost 20,000, and finally in 1893 nearly 32,000 were obtained – almost a quarter of the adult European female population of New Zealand (You can search a database of the 1893 signatures here.)
Very persice. Helpful as again shows how women got the vote in detail.
Skilfully led by Kate Sheppard,
Positive emotion toward's Kate Sphepard
This movement was shaped by two main themes: equal political rights for women and a determination to use them for the moral reform of society (through, for example, the prohibition of alcohol).
Important information as shows values behind movement
arch-enemy
Negative/emotive language showing negative views towards that person
'New Zealand women and the vote', URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/womens-suffrage, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 20-Dec-2018
This page was update in 2018. This is recently which makes the information more reliable as the source had time to gather information after the movement ended. The fact that it hasn't been edited in the last 4 years wouldn't really affect the reliability though as the information wouldn't change because the event has ended.
First page of 1893 suffrage petition
This is a primary source which is very useful to have as primary sources are very reliable because they come from during th event
Women and the vote
The intended purpose for this source is likely early teenagers or older. I believe this because there is quite a bit of jargon or more advanced language. Eg: democracies. Also this isn't the most light hearted topic meaning younger children probally wouldn't enjoy it as much.
Today, the idea that women could not or should not vote is completely foreign to New Zealanders.
Opinion/bias supporting women getting vote
led by Kate Sheppard. In 1891, 1892 and 1893 they compiled a series of massive petitions calling on Parliament to grant the vote to women.
Very helpful as shows how women got the vote
On 19 September 1893 the governor, Lord Glasgow, signed a new Electoral Act into law.
Useful as very important moment in this movement. This is also accurate as the date has been same in all the other sources I have looked at. The source also has a wide variety of primary and secondary sources that would make the information reliable
1869Mary Ann Müller (‘Femina’) wrote ‘An appeal to the men of New Zealand’, advocating votes for women.
Shows action taken in movement. This relates to my research question about how women got the right to vote.