FRANCHISE BILL

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 21, 25 January 1913, Page 7

FRANCHISE BILL

CRITICAL SITUATION INTENSIFIED IMPORTANT RULING BY SPEAKER MATERIAL AMENDMENTS WILL KILL THE MEASURE. Bj Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyftght. LONDON, 24th January. ' The critical situation in connection •with the Franchise Bill, which it is feared may cause a permanent .split among the Liberals, Was intensified yesterday when an unexpected ruling by the Speaker caused a sensation in the House. "She Speaker, in reply to a question by Mr. Bonar Law, Leader of the Opposition, said that, without expressing an opinion on the Government's amendmentSj including that cancelling the occupation franchise, he had to warn the House as to Ihe general principle that if in Committee a Bill was so amended as materially to affect its substance, it must be withdrawn and a new Bill introduced. The Women's Suffrage amendments madc_a huge difference! to the Bill, and Heaven only knew what form it would eventually take. Members interpret the ruling to mean that if the woman suffrage amendments are carried the Bill will be dead, as there is no time in the present session to reinti-oduce and rediscuss it, Mr. Bonar Law's amendment against limiting the discussion was negatived by 259 votes to 191, and the Premier's resolution was adopted. SIR E. GREY'S AMENDMENT. MOVED IN "COMMITTEE. INCREASED PROBABILITY OF DEFEAT. (Received January 25 2 9.35 a.m.) LONDON, 24th January. The Speaker's wafning has increased the probability of Sir Edward Grey's amendment being defeated. An anti -suffrage" petition containing the signature of 47,881 men and women has been presented to the House of CommonsrMr. Lyttelton, in moving Sir Edward Grey's amendment in committee, contended that the amendment simply demonstrated that the subject was worthy of discussion. Mr. Lewis Harcourt (Secretary of State for the Colonies) said tfce introduction of , such a gigantic proposal under the Parliament Act would be a grave blow to that Act. He did not like the referendum, but it would be the best method. A year ago Mr. Lloyd George had declared that he had not had a mandate, yet he was now endeavouring to pass an amendment under the Parliament Act. LONDON CHRONICLE'S SUGGESTION. BILL SHOUIF BE DROPPED IMMEDIATELY. . LONDON, 24th January. The Daily Chronicle suggests that the Government should immediately drop their Franchise Bill, and adopt Mr. Baker's Bill. The Government should . also introduce alternative Bills covering various forms of women's franchise, promising that when the Bill is finally adopted it should have the same advantages as are offered under the pre» sent Franchise Bill.