WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 11, 7 October 1927, Page 11

WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE

THE AGE QUESTION

TO BE DISCUSSED AT CARDIFF Rugby, Octover 5. Mr. Baldwin, the Prime Minister, arrived to-day at Cardiff, where to- . morrow he will make an important speech at the opening of rhe Conservative Party Conference. The Prime Minister will, it is understood, deal oniv with three subjects, namely the extension of female suffrage, the reform of the House of Lords, and economy. In regard to the first-nam-ed subject, the Prime Minister is expected to reiterate the . Government’s intention to proceed with legislation giving the vote to all women at the age of 21, that is to say, on the same terms as men. At. present the woman has a vote at 30 years of age, and then only provided she is a householder or wife of a householder. ' There are, however, conflicting resolutions on the agenda of the conference as to the age at which universal suffrage should be given to women, and there is a large body of Conservatives who favour 25 years lather than 21. Opponents of 21 point out that if women become eligible to vote at that age they will out-number men voters, and they also express doubts whether women of 21 are ejtlier sufficiently interested in or. well enough informed about political subjects. Those who accept the age of 21 argue that women of that age are, generally speaking, as well versed in politics as men of 21, and they do not consider that, even if women’s votes, predominated, tlicv would injure either the Conservative Party or the interests of the country. A vote is' likely to be taken on this age question, and the belief in official circles is that the conference will adopt 21.—British Official Wireless.