The Star: January 04, 2024

The Star Thursday January 4 2024
10
NEWS/LETTERS
Plant-based diet was
‘more practical’ for
leading suffragists
• From page 9
Jesse Mackay’s idealism was
similarly fuelled by an almost religious
zeal, which she expressed
in semi-theological terms in the
feminist magazine Woman Today:
“…Eden will never be seen
on earth till women arise and
instruct the merciful generation,”
she wrote.
With these philosophical influences
in play at what was one
of the most exciting times for
women in New Zealand, the possibility
for endless change must
have seemed real, evidenced by
the passing of the Women’s Suffrage
legislation itself in 1893.
In addition to changing philosophies,
spiritual awakenings
and medical ‘evidence’ there was
one other factor that may well
have been a significant influence
in encouraging a vegetarian diet
and lifestyle for women in particular.
Sheer practicality.
“One commentator compared
the idea of ‘labouring in the
kitchen over unnecessary pies
and stews’ with the ‘dusting
of unnecessary vases’. A more
simple plant-based diet and a
less materialistic lifestyle allowed
a woman more time for intellectual
pursuits – so in a very real
sense, a simple vegetarian diet
bought women spare time; and
the option of using it to work for
change,” said Osborne.
Ultimately, it came down to
personal conviction summed up
nicely in the three core tenets of
the Christchurch Vegetarian Society
– the first such organisation
in the country: ‘First, that animal
food is injurious to the human
system; second, that man can
live on vegetable food alone; and
third, that to kill unnecessarily is
cruel’.
Clearly, Kate Sheppard was one
of the many women who came to
the conclusion that a vegetarian
diet and lifestyle was the right
choice.
“It’s fascinating – and also quite
cool in light of evolving dietary
trends today – to think that the
work of New Zealand’s foremost
suffragist and feminist reformer
was fuelled entirely by plant
power,” said Osborne.
“When visitors learn that Kate
was a vegetarian they are often
surprised at how ahead of her
time she was.”
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Councillors should explain
vote to silence ratepayers
OUR LABOUR and Green
city councillors voted to not let
ratepayers discuss and decide
what we wanted to do with our
assets.
These parties are meant to be
for the people so I wonder why
they didn’t want to give us a
voice on such an important decision?
Are they afraid we would
make the wrong choice, i.e. not
the choice they wanted? Maybe
they could explain.
This lack of respect for the
community is also reflected in
the excessive cost of new safety
rules for community events like
the Santa parade – 75 per cent of
the cost for traffic management
is outrageous. Volunteers who
helped in the past did a great
job and now we can only have
paid traffic controllers at these
events? This is ridiculous. Why
are they making the cost out of
reach for so many groups, which
in turn stops community events
taking place?
I believe some of the new
regulations come from central
government, but is council
bound by law to accept these
rules? Isn’t council able to contest
this on our behalf?
Why would the former
government want to restrict
EVENTS: The cost of running Santa parades are ‘excessive’
according to some.
PHOTO: NEWSLINE
community events through
excessive security cost? They
may say they are for the
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community but regulations
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