MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1916, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

PROLONGATION OF I PARLIAMENT. franchise question DEFERSED MR. ASQUITH ADMITS ULAIMS "OF I ' WOMEN. London, Angus; u. In the House of Commons Mr. Asnuith said that the Government proposed to extend the life of Parliament to the end of May. The Government did not propose to alter the qualifications for the franchise. The difficulties of enfranchising all soldiers and sailor? were enormous, but provision would be made to prevent disqualification of the men who left their homes to serve their country at home or abroad, It appeared that the House would not raise the question of franchise in war time. Received August 15, 5.5 p.m. London, August 14. In the House of Commons M). Asquith, when introducing the Parliament and Lccal Elections' Bill, said it was impossible, in view of the war and other cil cumstances, to more than construct a rough makeshift measure. The war had caused the greatest dislocation of population in history, not only regarding soldiers abroad, but of the war workers at home. Everyone agreed that a general election at the front was unthinkable. Moreover, the munition ivorkers' claims could not be overlooked; but these claims brought them face to face with the women's claims. He was bound to say that lie found their representations unanswerable. The women were willing to abide under existing conditions, but if there were clauses for the enfranchisement of those who had rendered services to the State, it would be ' impossible to deny the women's claim that they had rendered as effective services as any class. They would also have a special claim to be heard in after-war questions. He had been a lifelong opponent of women's suffrage, but he could not deny these claims. Nothing was more injurious than re-opening such complicated questions. The Government therefore proposed to provide for the exceptional conditions of the period, and the qualification question would be postponed till November thus enabling the new register to operate next May. , All soldiers, sailors and war-workers existing on the register would be placed on the new register. He concluded by stating that, at a time when the war, although it had reached a happy and promising stage, was still requiring the absolute concentration of the Government, they were unanimously of opinion that it was impossible to consider the larger questions involved in the revision of the franchise. Sir E. Carson agreed that a general election at present was impossible, but he considered the register ought to be ready in eight months. The extension was over-long far the enfranchisement of soldiers and sailors, which did'not involve greater difficulties than those contained in the Government's proposals. The Government was doing them a grave injustice. Women's suffrage stood in a different category. Tie recognised they had arrived at a critical stage of the war, when they could anticipate happy developments in the near future, but he was, anxious to have the register completed, thug enabling the country to express its views on critical after-war problems. IRISH COMPLAINTS. Received August In, 7 p.m. London, August 15. In the House of Commons, an Irish member complained that Irishmen, temporarily resident in England, were forced to serve in the army. Mr. Hugh Law (Nationalist) declared that mm had been arrested in droves and marched through the streets handcuffed. iMr. Forster said that if it could tie proved that migratory laborc-rs had been improperly taken for the army, no doubt they would be given an opportunity for obtaining their discharge. OIL FUEL SYNDICATE. London, August 14. The Manchester Guardian states that a British shipping syndicate will carry out the proposal to purchase oil interests in California, which was temporarily abandoned owing to the financial conditions. The Cunard, White Star. Union Castle. Elder Dempster & Co., the Atlantic Transport, and the Ley land Lines are involved. Most of the ships will be fitted for burning oil fuel when shipbuilding conditions are easier. SCOTCH LIQUOR TRADE ENQUIRY. London, August 14. The Liquor Trade Committee, Scotland, appointed Po inquire into the possibility of State 1 purchase, unanimously decided not ti recommend the purchase oi the Scottish distilleries. It supports the abolition of grocers' licenses, and considers that hotels and inns which mainly depend on the sale of drink should he purchased. BRITISHERS IN POLAND. London, August 14. In the House of Commons Lord Robert Cecil stated that many British prisoners have been sent to work in the Russian territory occupied by the Germans, and the United States Ambassrdor is not permitted to visit tllem. STATE-OWNED SHIPPING. London, August 14. In the House of Commons Mr. Harcourt stated that the Government did not propose to follow the example of New Zealand in acquiring a Stale line of steamships. HOLIDAYS AT SHIPYARDS. London, August 14. The Admiralty has approved holidays for the Clyde shipwrights and marine engineers from August 19 to 128.