THE SUFFRAGETTES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 13976, 8 May 1913, Page 5

THE SUFFRAGETTES.

DEBATE IN THE COMMONS.

A CROWDED HOUSE,

Press Association.—Telegraph.—Copyright LONDON, May 7. The House of Commons was crowded for the suffragette debate, which was characterised by conflict between party friends of both sides.

The Right Hon. H. H. Asquith declared that the social structure H would not bo strengthened by granting the women the right to vote. He regretted the difference with some of his coif leagues. If they had hinted at -a change in leadership, lie was prepared to rose in, but the hint had not been

given. Sir Edward Grey emphasised-that Mr Asquith’s fairness to hi s’colleagues who favoured the Suffrage Bill, and supporters of the suffrage, was a reason to deplore the unconsiderod criminal conduct of the. militant few.

Sir Edward Grey and the Right Hons. Lloyd George. Birrell, Buxton, ■Runcimau, and Aclancl, voted for thq Bill,. and the Hons. Asquith, McKenna, and Harcourt, and Colonel Seely against it. The majority of the Nationalists opposed it, while there were a number of ‘abstentions on both sides,, and 22 pairs.