WOMAN SUFFRAGE BLOCKED.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 832, 30 July 1910, Page 5

WOMAN SUFFRAGE BLOCKED.

MR. ASQUITH HOSTILE. GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO GIVE FACILITIES. SUFFRAGETTES INDIGNANT. By Telegraph—Preaa Association—Copyright. London, July 28. Mr. Asquith, speaking in tho House of Commons, stated that the Government could not give facilities for the passing of the Woman's Suffrage Bill ■ this session. The Bill, it will be remembered, was introduced by Mr. Shackleton, a Labour member, and had been drafted by a Conciliation Committee composed of influential representatives' of all parties. The second reading was carried on July 13, by a majority of 109, the voting beiqg 299 for and 190 against. SPEECH BY MISS PANKHURST. REOPENING OF CAMPAIGN.' (Rec. July 29, 9.50 p.m.) . London, July 29. Miss Pankhurst, the well-known Suffragette, addressing a suffragist • meeting at St. James's Hall, said that 1 Mr. .Asquith's refusal of facilities for ! the Suffrage Bill would mean the re- . opening of the militant suffragist cam- ,- paign. . MR. ASQUITH'S ATTITUDE. : CABINET'S UNWILLINGNESS. Speaking on June 23, Mr. Asquith said: , "The Government are prepared, to give ' time .before the close of the session for ■ a ■ full debate and a division on tho , second reading of the Women's Franchise ; Bill. But in view of the exigencies of ■ other Parliamentary business 'and their • own announced decision not to prosecute . contentious legislation, they cannot afford ; any further facilities to tho. Bill this ses- • sion. The Government recognise that the ! House ought to have opportunities, if that , is their deliberate desire, for effectually s dealing with tho whole-question, and'the course of tho debate may be expected to I throw instructive light on Parliamentary ■ opinion loth in regard .to - this Bil| and , other proposals."

The Conciliation Committee, ■. which drafted the Bill, in an explanatory memorandum, stated: "There is no doubt that the present House of Commons, like every Houso which has met since 1870, shows a majority for woman suffrage. Indeed, while over -100 members are known to be favourable, not more than 70 have declared themselves- hostile. But precisely because the question is now within the range of practical politics, the divergence of opinion' regarding the actual method by which it. should be solved has become acute. Under normal circumstances, it would be left to the Clov. ernment of tho day to. prescribe the solution and to ovcreomo minor differences with regard tu tactics. But neither this nor any other Government in the near future is likely to commit itself to woman, suffrage. The initiative must be taken by private members. " Failing- a' compromise between suffragists of all schools and parties, a settlement may be indefinitely delayed.

"As (he Bill undoubtedly meets the views of a. largo majority of the House of Commons, the'only thins that can prevent its up to ' the House of Lords is the indifference ar hostility of tho Cabinet. It is difficult to conceive that a Liberal Cabinet should be found unrolling to assist the passage of a measure which brings our Constitution into line with -that of two of our leading selfgoverning colonies,', and which embodies the great Liberal principle that taxation aid representation should go together."