"MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 982, 24 November 1910, Page 4

"MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS."

THE SUFFRAGETTE AGITATION.

A question, was recently put by Mr» T. I E. Taylor, M.P. for Christehurch! North, to tli© Prime Minister as under:

"Whether, in view of the fact that the full Parliamentary franchise is now exercised by the women of New Zealand and Australia—with very marked advantage to. the • cause of political reforms affecting the highest interests of the people—he will endeavour to have the question of securing equal political power fpr the women of Great Britain made ail issue for consideration by the ap-. proaching Imperial Conference, so that the Parliamentary franchise within the Empire shall be uniform?" Replying in the House yesterday/ Sir Joseph AVard said: "To give effect lo the request conveyed involves the 'interference by Now Zealand with the internal politics of Great Britain. Constitutional rule forbids this, and though I am. personally an advocate of women's suffrage in this country respect for the rule in question prevents my taking ths course suggested." Mr. Taylor said that he oould not agree # with the reply. There were some questions on the Order Paper which infringed on tho rights of Zealand. One was a proposal that the positions , of High Commissioners should .be made a; political office. He hoped that indent would have an opportunity to dis'* cuss-the matters which would conie be< fore the Imperial Conference. Mr. Massey said that to a great extent he agreed with the reply given to the' question. Together.Vith other meiubers he had received a letter from Miss Pankhurst, secretary of'thfe AVomen's Social and Political Union at Home, asking him to use any 'possible influence to get. our representative to bring up the question at the Conference. In reply, he had stated that it would. be. very improper for any part of the Empire to interfere- with the . domestic ■ affairs of any other, part. It would be considered, improper, added Air. Masssy. if a society at Home, which .was opposed to women a franchise, asked the New Zealand Parliament to Tepeal its law on thfe subject. The Prime Minister said it would be improper for the representative of New Zealand to be put in the position, of being told to mind.his own business. He had just seen by the paper that the British Prime.Minbter had been mobbed V the suffragettes.' Surely Mr. Ttfyloi' did not want him to bo mobbed, too 2 (Laughter.)