Page:Outlines of the women's franchise movement in New Zealand.djvu/34

 of which they were members. At any rate, the Stout-Vogel Government earned the credit of bringing the enfranchisement of women fairly before Parliament. The Bill was introduced on April 29th, and, on May 12th, its second reading was carried by forty-one to twenty-two, support being given by members on both sides of the House. It was discussed in Committee on May 19th, and on June 3rd was discharged from the Order Paper. Whatever may have been the immediate causes for the Bill being dropped, there can be little doubt that the time was not yet ripe for the passing of so important a measure. It is always difficult and seldom wise to legislate far in advance of public