The San Francisco call., 1896-05-17

ing in the Australian colonies, and during
that time virtually travelled all over Aus
tralia, New Zealand and Tasmania she
said yesterday. "On all hands in New
Zealand saw the benefit of women being
able to vote. One admirable result is that
highly respectable men who before held
aloof from politics are now coming for
ward and making their power felt in pub
lie life.
"The great objection that people urged
before women were allowed to WELD the
ballot was that they would vote for their
fathers, their brothers and their lovers
but that has not proved to be the case in
New Zealand. On the contrary, they are
most conscientious in making inquiries
befo rehand as TO the character of the per-
son for whom they are voting, and if there
is any flaw in the mans character, such as
drunkenness or kindred vices, they reso-
luteIy refuse to give him their votes.
This is naturally having the effect of send
ing highly respectable men into the polit-
ical arena"
The Countess spoke thoughtfully and
earnestly, and it was evident from the
readiness with which she cited facts to
support her statements by personal ex-
had observed and cross-guestioned closely
during her tour. She is not the sort of
woman, in any case, 10 launch out into
hasty enthusiasm, but quite though tful
and sympathetic; her ready flow of Ian
guage is the eloquence of the thinker
rather than the mere brilliancy of clever
talker. The Countess is genial, unaf-
fected little woman and her title and
honors sit very lightly upon her.
When ques toned further about women
voters in New Zealand, she said: 81 had
the good fortune to be in Christ Church at
the time of an election, and made minute
inquiries, as the subject interested me
much. discovered that the majority of
the women took an intelligent interest in
politics, but there was minority utterly
indifferent-the vain and frivolous, sup
pose.
81 was fortunate in meeting the first
lady Mayor, who acted in the capacity of
chairman at one of my lectures. Her
name was Mrs. Yates. She was Mayor of
Onehunga.
During her term Of office, which only
lasted a year, she saved the town fS00, an
unprecedented event in that community.
She fulfilled all her duties peafectly and
saw tnat even the mInutest affairs were
looked into. The people had clean streets
and good sanitary arrangements, and yet
the town was able to save $500 under
Mrs. Yates administration. 1t just shows
what q woman can do. She was a clever
agreeable woman and thorough lady in
every way, not one OF your new women
of the period. She attended well to her
home duties, too, for she was a woman
who would do all she undertook to do
we'll"
The Countess says it pleased her i'm
mensely to see the success of women in
New Zealand, because in the theosophical
philosophy women play quite an equal
part with men. .Theosophy was founded
by woman, Nine. Blavatsky," she said.
"I was her friend and lived with her for
six wears. and know that in every way
she upheld the perfect equality of women
with men. 1t is with great sorrow that l
now come to America a second time to
find that this Theosophical Society.
founded by Nine. Blavatsky, has been
split into two parts.
ION her death-b bed Madame Blavatsky
entreated me to Try to keep the society
together-to prevent it from dislntegrat-
iDg-and promised her that would work