BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3443, 9 March 1920, Page 27

BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

(By Cable.) POLICE PAY. LONDON, February 26. In the House of Commons, upon V motion favouring an increase in the police pension equivalent to: the rise in the cost of living, the Government suffered defeat by 123 votes to 57. Mr Shortt (Home Secretary) urged that the police were in the same position as the army, the navy, and civil service j therefore the concession could not be granted to them. The proposal would involve a capital sum of £50,000,000. DREAD OF UNEMPLOYMENT. LONDON, February 28. In the House of Commons Sir Robert Home, Minister of Labour, in moving the second reading of the Unemployment Insurance Bill, urged the necessity of getting rid of the dread of unemployment. Sir Robert pointed out that the 1911 Insurance Act (Mr Lloyd George's) was experimental. It covered 2,500,000 people, of whom 9000 were women. The number had increased by the year 1916, and the extension would presently be to 3,750,000 people insured, of whom 1,000,000 would be women. The present proposals would bring up the numbered covered, to about 12,000,000 people. The scheme would be on a contributory basis,' and there would be two contributions to the fund —one for health and one for unemployment. WOMEN'S FRANCHISE EXTENDED. LONDON, February 27. The House of Commons unanimously carried the second reading of the Labour Party's Bill enfranchising women similarly to men. This.* means a reduction of • the age qualification far women voters from 30 to 21-years, and adds 5,000,000 • voters* to the register. • ■• The Bill extending the franchise provides that residence shall be the sole' yoting qualification. It abolishes - the separate vote based on the occupation of business premises. Its opponents pointed out that the measure will give women an excess of 562,000 votes, but Lady Astor asked: '-Why not? The women of Britain outnumber the men." Dr Addison said he regarded the Bill doubtfully. The Government will propose amendments dming the committee stage. MR ASQUIITH WELCOMED. March 1. Mr Asquith, in taking his seat, was warmly • welcomed in the House of Commons, and was accorded a great popular reception in the street^.