WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1326, 2 January 1912, Page 5

WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.

DIFFERENCES IN THE BRITISH CABINET. By TeleEraph—Pross Association-Copyright London, December 31. Mr.. Lloyd-George, Chancellor of the Exchequer, will address a mass meeting at the Albert Hall on February 23 in support of women's suffrage. The "Westminster Gazette" continues t6 urge the taking of a referendum as a means of overcoming differences in the Cabinet and the split throughout the party.

STATEMENT BY MR. ASQUITH. Mr. Asquith, replying to a deputation on November 18, said that the question was, what was the proper attitude for' the Government to pursue in tho situation in which they found themselves "I have for a long time past," Mr. Asquith went on, "acknowledged, as I think all intelligent persons acknowledge, that this question of women's suffrage from a tactical and Parliamentary point of view was stauding on a footing entirely its own. It cuts athwart and overrides the ordinary distinctions of party. I myself, much as you may deplore it, have never been able to see my way to vote for women's suffrage because I have never been able to persuade myself that it would be for tho good of the State. That is an opinion I share with some of my colleagues, but the great majority of them, I freely acknowledge, lako a different view. , 'They aro in favour of tho principle of the extension of tho suffrage to women, although I daresay they aro not agreed precisely on what form of qualification the suffrage should be granted. Precisely the 6ame stale of things exists in the party opposite. "That, I say, puts tho <r -tion in a category entirely its own. It makes it a hardship that neither party can take it up sufficiently owing to the division of opinion among the party leaders. Although it is quite oue thing to be ready to bow to or acquiesce in the considered judgment of tho House of Commons, it is. quite another thing to make yourself responsible for initiating and being the author of a political change about the expediency of which you are not convinced."

Mr. Asquith said that no Liberal Government or Liberal House of Commons would bo performing its' duty if it djd not make every effort to reform our electoral system, The intention was to introduce a Bill for simple residential qualification and abolishing artificial categories before the close of Parliament. That being tho Government's intention, it wtuld clearly bo within the competence Df those present to introduce bv amendments or ( extensions tho objects they desired. What the Government say and what I say again is, 'We hold our hands, we don t interfere as a Government. We are at liberty to vote one way. or' tho other. Wo leave it to the House,'and in whatever form tho House chooses to mould the qualification, to that form wo will give the facilities promised,' "That brings me to say a word about the questions put by Mrs. Fawcett. *Is it the intention of the Government that tho Reform Bill shall go through all its stages in 1912?' Certainly, it is our intention. Wo hope to' carry it through in that year. 'Will the Bill bo drafted in such a way as to admit of any amendment introducing women on other terms than men.-' Certainly. 'Will tho Government undertake not to oppose such amendments?' Certainly. The Government as a Government is prepared to euro Hip matter fo tho House of Commons. Will the Government regard any amendment enfranchising women which is carried as an integral part of tho Bill and defend it in all its stages?' Cer tainly." ° w