The 1881 Licensing Act of New Zealand had made more consistent the local licensing committees and outlawed dancing girls in places where liquor was sold.[16] In April 1885, Anne Ward led a women's deputation – representing all the temperance societies of Christchurch – with the Rev R. Taylor to Sir Julius Vogel, Member of Parliament representing Christchurch North. They came to lobby Vogel to support women's suffrage in the debates over the local option – since "women were, in numberless instances, the greatest sufferers from the effects of the drink traffic..." and they hoped that Sir Julius Vogel would bring before Parliament that all married women might vote upon every question under the Licensing Act. She hoped also for a bill to do away with barmaids.