WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE BILL

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue LIII, 22 May 1908, Page 5

WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE BILL

GOVERNMENT WJLfc NOT Ol>POSf JT. fPBESS ASSOCIATION. I LONDON, May 21. Mr Asquith, in reply to a deputation of Liberal Commoners favoring Vcmen's suffrage, said he lecognised the impetus the movement had gained during the recent years He was not convinced ou the matter, hut- he hn;\ an open mind in resptct to it, und if in connection with the comprehensive Electoral Reform Bill which the Government intended to pass before, the j end of Parliament ar. amendment was promised in. favor of wpnum's suffrage, the Government WGuld leave the , decision to the House and not oppose it if the chansre proposed was on democratic lines He added he- was aware that two-thirds of the Ministers favored women's suffrage. NEWSPAPBiR SPECULATIONS. In connection with Mr Asquith's reply, the liberal newspapers imply that practically adult suffrage is intended, and if the HotUe. of Lords rejects it it will tiecom«; the principal ifsue at the general f'lecticia Some conservative speakers recently expressed the opinion ihat Mr Asquith is gradually but steadily preparing Tor a dissolution.