WOMEN’S RIGHTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6136, 16 February 1907, Page 7

WOMEN’S RIGHTS

THE RECENT ARRESTS FIFTY-EIGHT WOMEN SENT TO PRISON. POLICE METHODS CRITICISED. By Telegraph-Presa Aesociation-Copyright. LONDON, February 14. The “Tribune,” “Chronicle,” and “News” all complain of brutality on the part of tho police in connection with the women’s demonstration. Tho mounted police are especially singled out for condemnation. The suffragettes belonged to tho Women's Social Political Union, which had not been invited to Saturday's demonstration, lest its members should alienate many sympathisers by their extreme methods. Mrs Despard was fined 40s or twentyone days’ imprisonment. Tho fiftyseven others were fined 10s, or a week, up to twenty shillings, or a fortnight. They all went to prison. A man was fined 2s for attempting to rescue his wife. The Mrs Despard referred to in the foregoing message is a well known speaker on the Labour platform in England. At the openinv of the British Parliament last year she walked at the head of a procession of uneinjiloyed to Westminster. She is an earnest worker in the cause of social and political reform. , Mrs Despard is a sister of LieutGeneral Sir John French. MR KEIR HARDIB TAKES ACTION. LONDON, February 14. Mr Keir Hardie, chairman of the Labour party, has given notice of an amendment to the Address-in-Rcply, dealing with the women’s suffrage movement. ANOTHER SUFFRAGE BILL. (Received February 15, 11.43 n.m.) LONDON, Fcbruaiy 15. Mr W. H. Dickinson, Liberal member for St. Pancras North, intends to introduce a bill giving women the franchise. It is reported that 'four hundred members of the House of Commons will support the measure.