SUFFRAGE BILL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1657, 25 January 1913, Page 5

SUFFRAGE BILL.

ABANDONMENT POSSIBLE.

IMPORTANT RULING BY THE SPEAKER.

TOO MANY AMENDMENTS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Eec. January 21, 11.30 p.m.) London, January 24. The critical situation in connection with the Franchise Bill, which it is feared may causo a permanent split] among the Liberals, was intensified yesterday when an unexpected, ruling by the Speaker caused a sensation in tho House.

The Speaker, in reply to«a question by Mr. Bonar Law, Loader of the Opposition, said that, without expressing an opinion on tho Government's amendments, including that cancelling tho occupation franchise, ho had to warn the House as to tho general principle that if in Committee a Bill was so amended as materially to affect its substance, it must bo withdrawn and a new Bill introduced. The Women's Suffrage amendments made a huge difference to the Bill, and Heaven only knew what form it would eventually take. , , ( Members interpret tho ruling to mean that if the woman suffrage amendments are carried tho Bill will* be dead, as. there is no time in the present session to reintroduce and rediscusS it. If Sir, Edward Grey's amendment omitting the. word "mile" is rejected the Government will also withdraw tho Franchise Bill and proceed instead with Mr. BakerVßill. Mr. Bonar Law's amendment against limiting the discussion was negatived by 259 votes to 191, and tho Premier's resolution was adopted. SUFFRAGETTE INVADERS. WOMEN IN THE LOBBIES. 1 London, January .23. The Prime Minister, Mr. Asquith, today moved in tliVHouso that tho Franchise Bill be discussed to time-table. Mr. Bonar Law, Leader of the Opposition, said the Bill would revolutionise the whole of tho electoral system without the country.having the smallest say. He moved an amendment declining.to accept a limitation of discussion. : It is j understood that* if Sir Edward Grey's amendment to the' Franchise Bill is defeated the Government will withdraw tho measure and proceed with Mr. Barker's Bill to abolish plural voting. Three hundred working women, delegates of Suffragettes, have arrived in London. Tlio Speaker has authorised fifty of their number to assemble in tho Grand ■ Committee Room for the jiurposo of lobbying. • - Working women delegates, representing school teachers, nurses, laundresses, and others, waited as a deputation on Mr. Lloyd-George, and, threatened that the past militancy would be but a pin-prick compared to that in the future. They disbelieved tho Premier's pledge that the. Government would carry the Bill. \

Mr. Lloyd-Georgo replied that ho uns authorised to state if any women's amendment' was incorporated in the measure the Government would carry it through. :

Sir Edward Grey states that he and Mr. Lloyd-George ■ prefer Mr. Dickinson's amendment, but if it is defeated they, will vote for other amendments.

A deputation from the City Liberal Association waited on Mr. J. A. Pease, President of the Board of Education, asking that tho city should be exempted from the franchise Bill. ... ; ; A SUGGESTION. INTRODUCTION OF ALTERNATIVE BILLS. (Reel January 21, 11.30 p.m.) London, January 24. Tho "Chronicle" suggests that tho Government should immediately drop their Franchiso Bill, and adopt Mr. Baker's Bill. The Government, should also introduce alternative Bills covering various forms of women's franchise, promising that when tho Bill is finally adopted it should have , tho samo advantages as arc offered under the present Franchise Bill,