Mr Lloyd-George and the Ladies.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 29 May 1912, Page 4

Mr Lloyd-George and the Ladies.

4 . SL'EElll AT ALJIIiRT IJALL. Mr Lloyd Grorgo a<klresscd a suffrage demonstration at the Albert Hall during April, when women acted as .stewards, hut failed to preserve order. From all .sides lie was interrupted. At intervals the speech almost took the form of a dialogue between interrupters and the Chancellor. "I have, addressed many party meetings,' .said the Chancellor. From hijili up in the hall came a small, feminine voico, "You have never done anything else." followed by cries in another part, "Traitor," "Tli- is pir'ely a 'len-pr'rly gaMiering I have the privilege of addressinjj:.'' continue*! the Chancellor. "I think I can p> further. (A voice: "Leave the Cabinet.") I am the first C'lbinet Minister who ha* ever addressed a non-party gathering on the Suffrage (piesiion, and I am proud of the distinction.'* (Applause.) "I propose to give you a perfectly frank and stnightt'onvard statement of the position. What ( say jis this in this year of Grace, in this session of Parliament, is the best opportunity you li.nve had to put an end for ever to that .system. (Loud applause). This session determines as far as (he next mineral election is concornedi the fate ol this (piestion. You had hotter prepare you |)lans on the assumption ihat the House of Lords will throw it out. at any rate the first and the ><vond time, and that it will go throimb the third time. The fact remains that it is the best <>ppoifunit v that has ever yet 'boon fy\\-on for Women's SuJlVago," CCheers).

A LADY'S HKBCkK. There u;u~ another outbreak of interruption, ami cries of "Turn them out." "No, no; don't turn anyone out." said the Chancellor. A white-haired lady in the front row ot the stalls stood up and cried, "Cannet you behave like ladies for .once?" a rebuke which was received with cheers. Later the baiting increased ami continue;! throughout the speech. The Chancellor, riowever. was undisturbed. "What." he ai>l;ed. "is the Government promise? That a Reform Will will be introduced this year for the simplification an de.Ntension of the Iraiicbi.se to men, that it will lie carried through this year. ft "ill be drafted in such a form that a women's amendment can be incorporated in it, and if it is incorporated in the measure the Government will be responsible f<v it si, whole." Two-thirds of the Cabinet (1:{ of -'()) would \ote for the Suffrsiije amendment. (Cheer.*). One-fourth of the Libei-il I'arty was opposed. ("Why don't you convert thorn?") In the Conservative I'aity two-thirds to three-fourths were opposed to the suffrage. They could not form a Cabinet that would live for live min-ute*-.HYhy not?")-because a Cabinet could not exist without a par-

iiamentary majority. (Interruptions). ~..r-p--'-;: "••■• ''o:":l a I'iheral .\lini-tcr prepared to wreck the party and the programme which it is retiii ned to carry nut -(i.ilerruptioiO would (hat advance the siifTr-i.ire liy a single yard? C'Ves , ' and ••No. , ') There was onlv one allernative Administration, a I'nioii-'v-t one." f'Tt could not he worse.") ■"Don't he too sure." rejoined the Chancellor. '•Three <|tr>rters of its members would lie anti-Suffra<:ists." The disturbance grew .so bad that Mr;; P'awcell ,ipn;-a!<d for order. "I think il is a djs'irac" to women to behave in this way. ] wonder they do not have more feeling, seeing thnt we have only women r-tew-ards." A CHALI.KXCK AM) ,\\ AIM'KAI, Mr Lloyd (icorge: I challenge anyfine to produce a single statesman of aulhorily on the other side wlio will undertake that if a I'iiioiiis.t Administration comes into power they will put through a Women's Suffrage Hill. ('-Hear, hear.") I challenge, v.ui to piorluce and statesman who "ill undertake that a I'nionist Administration would ever give the facilities which the Prime Minister has

given. There is only one way in which we can carry the Suffrage Mill this year. it a Government measure.'') Yon won't get that, ff all parties of Suffragettes proceed together unitedly, without jostling and clawing each other, it will get through. (Applause). (A stentorian Voice: "If yon wvw to threaten to resign they would all COinS round.'')

"lint I will tell yon what I am most afraid of-that when yon bring your Hill before the House of Com" 1 nions or mow ymir amendment the t:r,v not ] r . m ,itfd on the particular method of carrying it out. Thai will !„■ fatal. My appeal to those who really mean business is to try to secure some sort of medium formula that will u'lito hotli sections so that when the timo comes for moving the amendment in the House of Commons it will ho an amendment that will secure the support of all sections of the suffrage party." (Cheers).