WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE

Otago Witness, Issue 3019, 24 January 1912, Page 27

WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE

OPPOSITION CAMPAIGN

LONDON, January 16,

Mr M'Kenna (Home Secretary), Mr Pease (President Education Board), Mr Hobhouse (Chancellor of the Duchy), Colonel Seely, Mr R. C. Lamber, M.P., Lord St. Ledger, the Earl of Granard, and Lord Herschell will appear on the platform at a meeting to protest against women’s suffrage, to be held on February 28.

Mr F. E. Smith, M.P., writing to The Times, says that the votes of women on rational questions would be a calamity of the first magnitude. A referendum is desirable to help a section of the Liberals who are prepared to face the difficulty. He contends that the Ministry would not be inconsistent in advocating a referendum, as granting the suffrage to women is not a party measure, January 18. During the Carmarthen by-election the mob endeavoured to throw a waggonful of suffragettes into the river. The women were rescued by the police. January 21. In answer to a question at the close of his address, Sir E. Grey said that the Government was not entitled to say that there must be a referendum on the question of giving votes to women, but if a majority of the House of Commons said that one ought to be taken that would be another matter.

CONCESSION IN SWEDEN. STOCKHOLM, January 17. The Government announces its intention to introduce a bill conferring women’s suffrage and the eligibility of women to sit in Parliament.