VOTES FOR WOMEN.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13992, 30 August 1909, Page 5

VOTES FOR WOMEN.

SUFFRAGETTES IN COUTtT. -AIR HEALY'S APPEAL. Press Association-By Telegraph-Copyright Received 5.5 p.m., August 29th. LONDON, August 28. Airs Despard and several other .suffragettes were charged at Bow Street in connection with the disturbance arising out of the recent attempt to present a petition to Mr Ascpiith. Air Tim Healy, in defending the suffragettes, contended that his clients were entitled to constitutionally present a petition to the .sovereign or the sovereign's chief officer. He. contrasted the toleration allowed to powerful combinations in regard to' assembling outside factories under the Trades Union Act of 190G, with the treatment meted out to those women standing day after day in all weather humbly asking for a vote. Would a British jury blame them or a man I'or refusing to see them. If the Magistrate so declined to acquit the defendants, he would ask him to state a case, then would ascertain whether the Judges of the High Coure thought the rights of millions could be swept away at the bidding of a casual ephemeral Premier. If the defendants had gone to applaud Air Asquith, or the Liberal Party, or the Budget, they would not have been removed. Afr Curtis Bennett, the presiding Magistrate, reserved his decision for a week.