SEX EQUALITY.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1925, Page 1

SEX EQUALITY.

LABOUR FRANCHISE PROPOSAL. IUBTRALIAN AND N Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION LONDON, February 20. The equality of the sexes in regard (to [Parliamentary franchise was discussed in the House of Commons. Air AYhitely, the Labour member, moved the second reading of the Representation of the People Bill, providing for the enfranchisement of all women aged 21 and upwards, oil the same terms as the men.

Mr AVhitely argued against the Government’s contention that this Bill necessarily would mean a general election immediately. He suggested that, as all the parties are agreed upon the general principle, the Bill should he passed on the understanding that it will not he used until the next general election. Air AVhitely pointed out that the adult franchise prevails in Australia, New Zealand, and in the Irish Free State. The Labourite, Miss Wilkinson, seconded the motion. Air Arthur Henderson supported the Bill, and also Air AVhitely’s suggestion. Air Henderson also suggested that the Speaker should preside at a conference of the measure on the ques timis of redistribution, the cost ol elections, and corrupt practices.

The women member- provided some livelv passages in the franchise debate in tile House of Commons. They kept the house in roars ol laughter. Lady Astor deplored the action of the .Ministry hutting in on a private member’s bill. It was not usual, and it put many of the Government’s supporters in a difficult position. It was annoying to those not represented by live constituencies coining to the house and doing things which put the whole party in the soup. The women felt that thev had been “let down” by ml

parties. miss AVilkinson said that it was mi okl cry that if the young women were enfranchised, they would vote tor the best looking candidates, but. in scrutinising the benches, she could not see any need for anxiety oil that score. A Labourite interjected: "A good manv must have worn masks. Air .MacDonald said the most pathetic figure in the House was Lady Aster. “marooned on a small rock and surrounded l.v a sea of deadheads.” lie promised the Ministry that Labour would not Hiiich. Mr Baldwin said that lie. could not think of accepting a private mil c-u a subject on which the AI iti is try intendeel to legislate. Sir AY. Joyiison Hicks (Home Secretary) move" a Governments’ amendment' for the rejection of the hill, on the grounds that it would involve a general election, and consequently ail interruption of important legislative and administrative work, hut at the same time asking the house to I’ccili’il its opinion that it considered that a scheme of franchise reform should he submitted in the House of Commons within the lifetime of the present ariiaineiit. He pointed out that il the Rill were, passed, the women voters wonltl he in a majority of two millions over the men. instead of a minority of two million as at present. ’Hie Government. he said, intended to give political rights to men and women. Thev desired to do it by an agreement, and' to have a conference of all parties to he followed by n redistribution of AY. Wedgwood Bonn said that the Liberals unanimously favoured the hill. He asserted that the Government were evading their pledge in regard to legislation for equal rig i s at the agd S* 21. „ \Y Joviison 1 licks, replying to a question, expressed the opinion that a conference should he established m qe-w; tn consider all the questions involved, and to' introduce a hill m 1920. Lady Astor announced that she would vote lor the Lill. Mr Ramsav AlaeDonald, m supportthe Bill.'said that he thought the Government intended to wrangle over the franchise. He declared that to lower the voting age for women to 2o ami to increase it for men to 25. would be an unholy transaction. The second reading of the Bill was defeated by 220 votes to 153 votes sir IV. Joyiison Hicks’s amendment being carried.