WOMAN’S SUFFRAGE

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1415, 28 March 1905, Page 1

WOMAN’S SUFFRAGE

BLOCKED BY A MAN'S THREAT.

MELBOURNE, March 15. A peculiar scene happened' to-dav at a deputation .to the State Premier for the apparently peaceful purpose of asking aim to make the Womeij s Sujftrage Bill a Government measure next session. Miss Locke, representing the woman. a section of the Political Labor Council, used what the Premier with some annoyance, declared to be strong language. But worse l'ol-' lowed.

Mr Heagnoy, secretary of the Political Tabor League, declared that ho spoke for the united co,uncil,. and consequently was the mouthpiece of oncthird of Uie people of iVicLoria r who Jiau favored wo.uiniVs franchise ‘ for ;teai years.

V li certainly expect,/’ he said, “to see this Gavernmcnt, whether led by. the present GjOiverjiment or hot, pass this measure this session. ’* “ Very amusing,” 'internupteil Mr Bent, to, which Mr Ileagney retorted, that an Iceberg was looming on the horizon;”

In his reply, Mr Bent said that Mr I-leagpey had used a threat to him, and ho was willing to-test it. He Wouitf not bring in the Bill at all. (“Oil, 'ob.’-’Dj Mr Prendergast sought to pour oil on the troubled waters, and the women on the deputation also pleaded with Mr Bent not to punish .all the women of Victoria for one maws indiscreet utterance. m

Mr Bent replied that wot one of them present protested at Mr Heagacy’s threat. .There were more attempts to wheedle the Premier into a more friendly attitude, anil, at last, after sitting silent for some minutes, he said": ” Weil, you want me to lake it before the Cabinet I say I will.” (Applausey) And the • deputation departed.