WOMAN’S SUFFRAGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3016, 3 January 1912, Page 7

WOMAN’S SUFFRAGE.

REFORM BILL OF 1912. THE CHANCELLOR’S PLEDGE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, November 18. The Prime Minister yesterday received an important deputation representative of iho Women's Suffrage Societies. Mr Asquith was supported by Mr Lloyd George and the Master of I'llibank. The deputation sought for an explanation regarding the Government’s intentions concerning tho Manhood Suffrage Bill and the Conciliation Bill (vote© for women). After .Mrs Pankhurst, Miss Pankhurst. Mrs Fawcett. Mi’s Despard, Lady Selbornc, and other ladies hud spoken, Mr Asquith denied that the Government had resorted to trickery over tho Manhood Suffrage Bill. He pointed out that parties wore divided on th© question of vote© for women, and so the whole matter would bo loft to the House of Commons. He said that no Liberal Government or Liberal House of Commons would be performing ifs duty if it did not make every effort to reform our electoral system. The intention was to introduce a hill for simple residential qualification and aboliehing artificial categories before the close of parliament. I hat being tho Government’s intention, it would clearly bo within the competence of those present to introd’uoo by amendments or extensions tho objects they desired “There has been no change of front or policy of any sort or kind in regard to that matter on the part of tho Government,” Mr Asquith proceeded. “ Lot us see why our intention was frustrated. Wo did not introduce the Manhood Suffrage Bill in 1908 because, as you know, in consequence of the rejection of the Budget, that parliament was prematurely dissolved and a new parliament was cloctikl, which was entirely occupied with the constitutional question Tho first session of this parliament was similarly taken up. In the meantime the question of the Conciliation Bill arose. It ivati introduced, and tho Government was asked to give facilities for it. Wo felt, as for tho tune being political exigency prevented us from going on immediately with our projected scheme’of electoral reform, that was a reasonable request, provided--and we made that a condition—the title of the bill was so framed that its details and its substantial provisions might bo amended or extended to whatever degree tho majoritv of the House of Commons thought. That was the promise given, and it has rover been withdrawn. By that promise I am quite prepared, and intend, to abide—f‘ Hear, hoar.”),—and tho very suggestion is almost an insult that tho Government, which made a promise of that kind, wao going to withdraw under tho stress of th© new political exigencies of any sort or kind. “ But let me point that the promise so made clearly contemplated that triat bill might bo carried by th© House of Commons in accordance with the opinions of the majority for tho time being. What the Government says and >;hat I say again is: ‘ Wo bold our hands, v*e don’t interfere as a Government. Wo are at liberty to vote one way or the other. We !©*■*© It to tho House, and in whatever form the house chooses to mould the qualification, to that form w© will give tho facilities promised.’”

MRS FAWCETT’S QUESTION. “ That brings mo to say a word about the questions put by Mrs Fawcett. ‘ls it the intention of tho Government that tho Reform Bill shall go through all ite stages in 1912?’ Certainly, it is our intention. Wo hope to carry it through in that year. ‘ Will tli© bill be drafted in such a way as to admit of any amendments introducing women on other terms than men?’ Certainly. ‘ Will the Government undertake not to oppose such amendments?’ Certainly. Tho Government as a Government is prepared to leave the matter to the House of Commons. ‘Will tho Government regal'd any amendment enfranchising women which is carried as an integral part of the bill, and dafend it in all its stages?’ Certainly. MISS PANKHURST’S PISTOL. “ Miss Pankhurst, in a very able speech, used one of two rather strong expressions —to which, of course, Ido not take any exception.” “1 am afraid I can’t withdraw them,” said Miss Pankhurst. “No; it is tho last thing I should expect you to do,” said Mr Asquith. “ She talked of terms of peace, presenting, I must say, a pistol In one hand and a dagger in the other at the Government, Mrs Pcthick Lawrence, too, used some expression about being tricked said betrayed. Where does the trick oorno in? I am pointing out to you that the position of tho Government to-day is perfectly consistent and exactly the same as it has been all through. I quite understand Miss Pankhurst’s position. She says it is our duty ourselves to introduce a bill conferring the franchise on women on the same terms as men.—(“Hoar, hoar.”) I quite understand that, and it is an intelligible position, but we have never promised to do anything of tho kind.” “We are prepared,” the concluded, “ both in the letter and the spirit to carry out the whole of the pledge we have given to you, and the remedy lies entirely in your hands. The Government has nothing to do with it; it stands by and is neutral. If you can persuade a majority of the members in the present House of Commons in the next session either in regard to the Conciliation Bill or in regard to the Reform Bill--for you shall certainly have an opportunity—to introduce into that bill the qualifications for tho suffrage for women, if the House of Commons is prepared to assent to them, I give you my assurance on behalf of the Government that it will accept the decision then come to, and will accept the measure and give facilities for it. That ought to satisfy you.” A Voice: “We are not satisfied.” “ No, I don’t expect to satisfy you. It ought to satisfy those who say tlic Government in this matter should behave fairly and reasonably, if divided between itself. If it satisfies these reasonable demands, that is all I hope to do in a matter of this kind.” Mr Lloyd George briefly spoke. He said: “Don’t you commit yourselves too readily to the" statement that this is a ‘ trick ’ upon women’s suffrage. If you find next year as a result of this ‘ trick ' that several millions of women have been added in a bill to the franchise, that this bill has been sent to the House of Lords by the Government, and that tho Government stands by that bill, whatever the Lords do, then those who have committed themselves to that ill-conditioned suggestion will look very foolish.” THE CHANCELLOR’S PLEDGE. Writing in th© Daily News, "P. W. W.” says: “ The suffrage deputation means that the women have gained a momentous victory. lam authorised by Mr Lloyd George to state in tho most explicit terms that he places his services at the disposal of the groat and growing suffrage party which will support a women’s amendment to the Government Reform Bill next year. “ ‘ You may certainly say from me,’ said tho Chancellor of the Exchequer, ‘ that if it be thought best, I will move the amendment, I am ready to do so, and to advocate it inside tho House and outside the House by speech and influence. All I would add is, that in the interests of tho amendment itself it may be bettor that some other person —Sir Edward Grey, for instance —should bo the mover, or some eminent Conservative. Whether I do the actual moving is really a minor point of tactics, for in any case 1 will speak in favour. lam principal speaker to tho National Liberal Federation at Bath next week, and my siieeoh there will deal in explicit terms with the great and final struggle for women’s citizenship into TOili wo are entering. Wo must got the amendment carries!, and with tli© amendment wo must push through tlie bill next session. ’ ”