WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 13069, 8 May 1913, Page 3

WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.

DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS.

(Press Assn.— By Telegraph— Copyright.) v LONDON, May 7. The House of Commons was crowded for the debate on the Women's Suffrage Bill. The debate was characterised by conflicts between party friends on both aides. Mr Asquith, the Premier, declared that the social structure would not be strengthened by granting . the women votes. , He regretted the difference with his colleagues.' If they had hinted at a change of leadership he was prepared to resign, but the hint had not been given. Sir Edward Grey (Foreign Minister) emphasised Mr Asquith's fairness to his colleagues, who favored the Suffragette Bill, and were supporters of women's suffrage. There was reason to deplore what he considered the criminal conduct of a militant few. • Sir Edward Grey, Mr Lloyd George (Chancellor), Mr Birrell (Secretary for Ireland), Mr Buxton (President . of the Board of Trade), Mr Runciman (President Board of Agriculture) and Mr Acland (Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs) voted for the Bill and Mr McKenna^(Home Secretary), Mr Hai^court (Colonial Secretary) and Colonel Seely (Minister for War) against it. A majority of the Nationalists opposed the Bill, which was rejected. There were a number of abstentions on both sides, and 22 pairs. OTTAWA, May 7. The annual conference of the National Council of Women at Montreal decided to support women's suffrage. A feature of the gathering was an address by Mrs Leathea, of Toronto, dealing with reforms effected m New Zealand by means of the women's vote. (Received May 8, 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, May 7. The fact that the women's suffragette movement is m a worse position than it was a year ago is ascribed by tnenewspapers as largely due to militancy.. The Westminster Gazette states that Parliament felt that if it passed Mr Dickinson's Bill it would be acting m the teeth of public opinion. Yesterday's majority against the Bill included many members who favor a small number of women voters, but not six millions forthwith.