WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14213, 14 May 1908, Page 7

WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE

A STORMY SOENE. Press Association.—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, May 12. A number of noisy obstructionists, consisting of men and women, refused to permit Mrs Fawcett and Mn» Despard to address a suffragist demonstration at Cardiff. They smashed the windows of the hall, captotted the banners and mottoes of the suffragists, and stormed the platform, compelling the ladies to flee. This is intended as revenge for the tactics adopted by tine suffragettes at Dundee. A remarkably successful meeting of suffragettes was held in t-he Albert HaJl on March 19. The meeting, which was presided over by Mrs Panklmrst, who had been released from prison the previous day, was remarkable for the generous response that was made to an appeal for the 6inews of war. Mrs Pot-hick Lawrence, the chancellor of tho Suffragette exchequer, announced that the self-denial week had resulted in the collection of £2582, and, wit It a,n accountant and a scoring board at her olhow, she called upon those present to add lo this sum,

A contribution of £1000 a year from a lady who desired to remain anonymous ■was ihe first sensational announcement, from the hall. "My husband ai>d I will add another £1000 to that,'' promptly announced Mrs Lawrence amid loud applause. Cheques, bank notes, and promises for £100 camo in quiek succession. Both Dr Garrett Anderson and her daughter were among those who contributed £100. Majorgeneral Sir Alfred Tumor was another member of tho audience who contributed, " I will give £100," called out a lady in evening drees.

By leaps and touoids the figures on the scoring board went up, until the magnificent total of nearly £7000 was readied. "Hard cash makes more difference to the Government, than all tho eloquence of which wo aro capable," was Miss Christabel Pankhurst's comment, on the result.

The great hall was filled by a yost audienco of women. Every seat, every inch of standing room, had been sold. Ladies : n evening dross sat in stalls and boxes, and balconies and naileries were thronged wit!: a cheering multitude.

As the strains of tho " Marseillaise" from the great- organ died awav at the opening of tho proceedings, Miss Clirietahel Pankhurst, a. slender figure in a green gown, was 6Con ptanding in tho centro of the platform. Clear and resonant, her voice rang through the enormous hall. " For some unknown reason not, unconnected with the Peckhnm contest," announced Miss Pankhurst, " the Government has unexpectedly decided to release Mra Panklmrst, who will take our chair toni<rht."

The great audience leaped to its feet even og Mies Fankhurst spoke. Handkerchiefs waved from every box, from every tier, and the cheers were deafening. The welcome was almost unnerving in its super-nfo-iidant enthusiasm, and Mrs Pankh" with smiling eyes and quivering lip 6, waited until comnarative quietude came. B'it again nnd again throuiihoiit her speech tho gathering of women broke forth into apulause that could not bo restrained. Mi«; Annie Knnney W as choscn to second tho resolution calling upon the Government to adopt, and carry inlo law the "omen's Enfranchisement Bill, which had bcon moved from the chair.. It was M r - Annie ICenney who two ywis and a-lialf ago came as a delerate from Lancashire to demand from tho Prime Minister at the Kreat Liberal demonstration in the AlbertHnll on the eve of the eeneral election a statement of Liberal policy in regard t( voles for women. °

On March 19 Miss Iveuney for the first time let, the public into the secret of her appearance there. "We wore fortunate," she said. We got four tickets for that historic Liberal meeting, two for Mr Jo!Hnrnss box-unknown to Mr Burns." Iho audi«ncp shook with laughter as Miss Konnev told ho W shp sa j ; n j| le box with Mr John Burns and his friends, and of the amazement of the President of the Local Government Board when she pulled out her "Votes for Women " banner. • ? !L?, 76r % front of "'o box, and cried, What will the Liberals do for the women:

The resolution was afterwards put to the meeting and carried .enthusiastically.