of citizenship. The pension is proof that the aged citizen has done his or her duty to the country, and the country acknowledges it, just as the British Parliament pensions its ex-Admirals, ex-Generals, ex-Cabinet-Ministers, and others who were supposed to have served their country well, and who were well paid during their service. Ruskin tells us "every man (or woman) who has done well to his parish or country deserves well from that parish or country," and so we say. The women’s vote helped to bring about this old age pension in New Zealand.
Liquor Reform was another great work brought about by the women’s vote in New Zealand; local option in many districts, and abolition in a few. The official Year Book of 1906 for New Zealand comments on the large increase in the number of votes recorded for no license or reduction of license; it also refers to "the substantial increase shown in the number of persons who went to the poll."[1]
The Factories Act, 1901, of New Zealand is one of the most perfect and complete laws to be found. A maximum forty-five hours a week for women and youths is insisted on, except in woollen mills, where they may work 48 hours. All bakehouses and laundries, if only two persons be employed, are classed as factories to bring them under the Factories Act
- ↑ I make a point of quoting this from page 199 of Year Book because we are often told the women did not want the vote, and do not use it. Whereas the total of voters in 1896 were, males 151,285; females 108,663, total 259,948, and in 1905, males 221,674; females 174,743, total 396,417.
