WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 204, 22 May 1908, Page 7

WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE

COMING NEARER. PROMISE BY MR. ASQUITH. LATER ON WILL LEAVE IT TO THE COMMONS, nr TEiiEOßArn—rncss association—corvnionf , ' (Rco. May 21, 10,22 p.m.) London, May 21. A' deputation of Liberal members of tho Houso of Commons waited on tho Primo Minister, Mr. Asquith, to urgo tho claims of \vomon's suffrage. Mr. Asquith said ho rocogniscd tho impetus that tho movement had gained in recent yoars. Ho was not convinced, but had an open mind, and if, in connection with a comprehensivo electoral'reform Bill, which tho Govornmont intendod to pass before tlib end of the present Parliament, an amendment Was proposed in favour of women's suffrage, tho Government would leave it to tho decision of tho House, and would not oppose it if tho chango was proposed to bo nmdo on democratic lines. Mr. Asquith added that ho was awaro that two-thirds of his Ministers'favoured women's suffrage. "FILLINC UP THE CUP." A VICTIM FOR THE HOUSE OF LORDS. AFTER THAT, THE HUSTINGS. (Rec. May .21, 11.23 p.m.) London, May 21. In'connection with Mr. Asquith's reply on tho subject of women's suffrage, Liberal newspapers imply that practically adult suffrage is intended,j and that if tho Houso of Lords rejects tho 'measure, it will bcoomo a principal issue at the next general elections. Some Conservative speakers recently expressed the opinion that Mr. Asquith 'is gradually and steadily preparing for a dissolution. A BIG ADVANCE. ' ■ ' HOW MINISTERS ARE DIVIDED: Although Mr. Asquith only promises to loavo the question to tho Houso at some tiino before, tho closo of tho. prosont Parliament, his statement represents a big .advance. On January 80 a 'deputation ,of women condescended to wait on hiin~Mr. Asquith is ono of best-hated Ministers, in the suffragist camp—and tho' reply "amounted to a. frank refusal; tho present Government, Mr. Asquith snid, had been returned with a mandate on many urgent matters,, of which tho question of womon's suffrage was not one." Since then Mr. Stanpor's AVomen's' Suffrage Bill has como up for its socond reading, and has passed that stage hy 179 votes (271—92). Tho voting of tho Ministers on this division is important. It is as undor:— Ministers for: Sir E. Grey, Mr. Haidanc, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Morley, Mr. Burns, Mr. Lloyd-Goorg'o,; Mr. S. Buxton, Mr. Runciman, Mr. T. W. Russell, Mr. Cherry, Mr.' Canston. Mr. H. Lewis. '- Ministers against: Mr. Asquith,' Mr. Sinclair, Sir W. Robson, -Mr. Harcourt, Sir S. Evans, Mr. Fuller.

Mr. Sanger's Bill will, of course, get no furthor if tho Government ■■ refuses if facilities. In any case,-if Mr. Asquith promises adult suffrage (as has teen interpreted), that would be going a great deal farther,'than Mr. Stanger's Bill, tho "Daily Mail";— Tho Bill enacts that "he" in all Acts referring to voting shall includo "she," and does not disqualify a married woman. Therefore'it enfranchises: I:.AU women .householders. 1 2. All married womou having real or.house property of theit own (not their husbands') or registered as the householder (e.g.,' where the husband takes tho house in liis wife's name in order not to bo called as a juryman).'.. : ' 3. All women lodgors (over twenty-one) who nave exclusive uSo of rooms of a value of ,£lO a year, -unfurnished. Daughters may olaim as lodgers 111 their parents' homes. .' : !,• ' .f Employees, occupying 'a house sor rooms ; rent,frco on their employers', property (e.g., caretakers); provided the omployers do not live in tho sanlo house. "The (adds tho . "Mail") may be raised: Can a wife .with ail income of her owii claim to be her husband's lodger? The total number of women .thus enfranchised is given as about 1,250,000," 1