 |
 |
  |
Social Purity Society of South Australia
Formation of the Ladies' Branch, a large and influential organisation. [Observer 24
Mar 1883] The ladies' division, led by Mrs Mary Colton, Mrs Rose Birks, and Mrs Mary Lee, soon "began to realise that a propelling motor on the down grade of womanhood was that they had no recognition as citizens." A decision was therefore taken "to urge by every legitimate means the course of woman's suffrage in this colony." The Women's Suffrage League develops out of the Social Purity Society. [Helen Jones, In her own name] |
  |
Formation of the United Trades and Labor Council. A meeting of delegates from
various trades and labour associations is held in the Selbourne Hotel. At this
meeting a decision is taken to form the United Trades and Labor Council. [SRG 73,
series list, p.2] |
| |
 |
The Married Women's Property Act 1883-4 assented to. This Act "for the first time [in South Australia] gave women control over their own property and earnings after marriage ..." [Helen Jones, "South Australian women and politics" in The Flinders history of South Australia. Political history] |
| |
 | Hon John Colton becomes Premier of South Australia. |
| |
 |
The Taxation Act 1884 assented to. [Women's suffrage supporters believed that if women were taxed they should also have the vote. For example, in 1891 a petition in favour of women's suffrage presented in Parliament [SAPP 171/1891] states "it has long been recognised as one of the fundamentals on which the Government of this province has been established that the contributories of taxation to the cost of Government are entitled to Parliamentary representation."] |
  |
Hon John William Downer becomes Premier of South Australia.
|
| |
 |
Extension of the Franchise to Unmarried Women. Resolution 1885 (House of Assembly) Dr E.C. Stirling moves (amid cheers) - "That in the opinion of this House, women, except while under coverture, who fulfil the conditions and possess the qualifications on which the parliamentary franchise for the Legislative Council is granted to men, shall, like them, be admitted to the franchise for both Houses of Parliament." |
| |
 | Extension of the Franchise to Unmarried Women. Resolution 1885(House of Assembly) Adjourned debate on motion of Dr E.C. Stirling. Motion Carried. |
| |
 |
Extension of the Franchise to Unmarried Women. Resolution 1885 (House of Assembly) Dr E.C. Stirling asks whether the government intends to bring in a Bill to carry out the recent resolution of the House that the parliamentary franchise should be ex- tended to women. The Hon J.W. Downer replies that although the resolution meets with his approval, it is not the Government's intention to bring in a Bill. If, however, the hon. member wishes to do so the Government would give him every assistance. |
| |
 |
Constitution Act Amendment Bill 1885 (House of Assembly) Mr E.W. Hawker, in the absence of Dr E.C. Stirling, seeks leave to introduce this Bill. [Leave granted but Bill not proceeded with.] |
  |
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union is started in Adelaide by Mrs Mary
Clement Leavitt of America, first round-the-world missionary of the organisation.
[Elizabeth Webb Nicholls, a founding member of the W.C.T.U., state president
1889-1897 and 1906-1927; national president 1894-1903] [Isabel McCorkindale,
Torchbearers]
|
| |
 | Letter to the Editor, from "A Daughter of South Australia", on woman's sphere, published in Register. |
| |
 |
Constitution Act Amendment Bill 1886 (House of Assembly) Dr E.C. Stirling moves for leave to introduce a Bill to further amend the Constitution Act and the Electoral Act of 1879. The Bill is based exactly on the resolution passed by the House last session. Motion carried. The Bill is introduced and read a first time. |
| |
 | Letters to the Editor, from "Another Daughter of South Australia" and "Observer", on woman's sphere, published in Register. |
| |
 | Letter to the Editor, from "A Daughter of South Australia", on women's sphere, published in Register. |
| |
 | Letter to the Editor, from J.Z. Sellar, on woman's suffrage, published in Register. |
| |
 | Letter to the Editor, from "Observer", on women's sphere, published in Register. |
| |
 | Letter to the Editor, from "Spectator", on woman's sphere, published in Register. |
| |
 | At a meeting of the United Trades and Labor Council it is moved "that in the opinion of this Council the franchise should be extended to all women over the age of 21." The motion is carried by a bare majority. [U.T.L.C. Minutes] |
| |
 | Petition presented in Parliament (House of Assembly) signed by the president of the [United] Trades and Labor Council and 28 delegates representing the trades societies of Adelaide praying that the property qualification in the Bill for an Act to amend the Constitution Act and the Electoral Act of 1879 should be amended, and that the franchise might be extended to women irrespective of property or wealth. [SAPP 85/1886] |
| |
 |
Constitution Act Amendment Bill 1886 (House of Assembly) Second reading. |
| |
 |
Constitution Act Amendment Bill 1886 (House of Assembly) Adjourned debate on second reading. |
| |
 | Letters to the Editor, from "D.C.L." and J.C. Kirby, on women's suffrage, published in Register. |
| |
 | Letter to the Editor, from "A Woman", on the franchise for women, published in Register. |
| |
 |
Constitution Act Amendment Bill 1886 (House of Assembly) Adjourned debate on second reading. |
| |
 | Letter to the Editor, from "A Matron", on woman's franchise, published in Register. |
| |
 |
Constitution Act Amendment Bill 1886 (House of Assembly) Adjourned debate on second reading. |
| |
 |
Constitution Act Amendment Bill 1886 (House of Assembly) Adjourned debate on second reading. |
| |
 |
Constitution Act Amendment Bill 1886 (House of Assembly) Adjourned debate on second reading. The second reading is declared carried, final vote:- Ayes 19, Noes 17. There is not an absolute majority, and the Bill cannot be further proceeded with. |
| |
 | Letter to the Editor, from John Robertson, on women's rights and wrongs, published in Register. |
|