ADULT SUFFRAGE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 938, 12 February 1917, Page 3

ADULT SUFFRAGE.

AGITATION IN ENGLAND. INFLUENTIAL SUPPORT. Bu Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (P.eccived February 12, 9 a.m.) LONDON, February 11. The National Council for Adult Suffrage held a great meeting in London. Whilst welcoming the resolution of the Speaker's conference as a step in the rigid direction, the council urged the Government to introduce a simple, generous franchise of adults, both men and women. Among those present were Messrs Appleton (secretary of the General Federation of Trades Unions and Labour Adviser to Mr Neville Chamberlain, Director of National Service), G. J. Wardle, M.P., and Williams (of the National Transport Workers' Federation).

Mr J. L. Garvin (editor of the "Observer") wrote that he had become a convert to adult suffrage since the war, which hnd shown that the progressive strength and vitality of the Stale were dependent on both sexes. Sir John Simon agreed with the resolution, and hoped that the reform would be carried out in an orderly, constitutional manner, with a view to obtaining the State's acceptance of the principle of women's suffrage. Onte Parliament removed the barrier there was nothing to prevent the water finding its level. The meeting resolved that it is essential to include in the suffrage wage-earning women, and also the wives of wage-earners.