Page:Outlines of the women's franchise movement in New Zealand.djvu/84

 The elections had resulted in the return of the Liberal Party to office, and there was little fear that Mr Ballance, the new Premier, would place obstacles in the way of the question, which had in the past received his warm support. The result of the election was distinctly advantageous to Woman Suffrage. Not only had a large number of members favourable to the reform been returned, but the fact that the question had been prominently before the electors deprived the opponents of a valid excuse for urging delay. The elevation of Mr Downie Stuart and Mr John Fulton from the House of Representatives, where there was a substantial majority, to the Legislative