Hon. John Burns and the “Suffragettes.”

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 6, 5 August 1908, Page 4

Hon. John Burns and the “Suffragettes.”

Mr. John Burns, the President of the Local Government Board, completely lost his temper when he addressed a packed meeting of his supporters at Battersea Town Hall. The cause of his very genuine outburst was, to use his own expression, the “vulgar, unwomanly, and disgraceful conduct” of a number of suffragists who interrupted the flow of rhetoric in support of the Licensing Bill. A crowd of several thousands outside the building cheered each suffragist as she was ejected, and in several cases gave the women a hearing. The proceedings may be thus summarised:— 8.20 p.m.—Suffragist No. 1 arises, makes incoherent squeal. (Ejected. Cheers.) Mr. Burns: “Leave them to the stewards. We’ve got ’em on the list, and they never will be missed.” (Loud laughter.) B.2s.—Suffragist No. 2: “Why should women ” (Ejected. Cheers.) Mr. Burns: “We will not allow the right of public meeting to be broken by any man or woman.” (Loud cheers.) B.3s.—Man Heckler: “Confiscation;” (Ejected amid uproar.) Mr. Burns (to stewards): “Put him out!” (Sternly to audience): “Look this way.” 8.40.-—Suffragist No. 4: “Votes for women!” (Ejected. Loud cheers.) Mr. Burns: “It is not my fault that the mild should be mixed with the bitter.” (Loud laughter.) 8.45.—A1an Heckler: “What about your £5OOO a year?” (Ejected. Wild cheers.) Mr. Bunns: “The potman has gone to join the barmaid.” (Shrieks of laughter.) 8.50. —Suffragist No. 6: “We insist on the vote this session ■” (Feeble effort. Allowed to remain.) 9.o.—Suffragist No. 7: “The mon make the laws and ” (Ejected after tussle. Loud “boos.”) Mr. Burns: “There’s no moaning at the bar when she puts out io sea.” —Suffragist No. 9 gives faint scream. (Ejected. Mild uproar.)

9.lo.—Suffragist No. 10: "Give th* women the vote.” (Carried out strugMr. Burns (passionately to women in the audience): “Now, ladies, if you’ve come here for a laughing competition you can go out. We are not going to allow a number of frivolous and vulgar strangers to interrupt this meeting. It makes me almost ashamed that I am * supporter of woman’s suffrage. This disgraceful conduct has put hack the clock of woman’s suffrage. The ingratitude of these women is disgusting.”