HOUSE OF LORDS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1928, Page 1

HOUSE OF LORDS.

VOTES KOlt WOMEN. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, May 22. In the Lords, Lord Middleton opposing the Votes for Women Bill, urged the reform of the House of Lords was infinitely more pressing than the extension of the franchise. He hoped the Government would reconsider the age at which women should receive the vote. Lord Balfour of Burleigh said if the Lords accept the “ancient Britons’ extremely had advice and rejected the bill, they would find feeling in the country far from apathetic. There would bo such a storm that when the dust settled the House of Lords would be reformed and strengthened but abolished.

Lord Lytton stated the “old guard” still was manfully supporting a lost cause. The selection of representatives of Parliament was not a greater responsibility than the choice of a life partner, yet opponents wanted to make the vote the only duty that could nor he performed by citizens at the age of twenty-one.

Lord Clifford of Cliudleigh opposec the Hill.

Lord Bertie of Thom said he hopet tlie Lords would reject the Bill, be cause the Conservative party bad beei bounced.

Earl Iveagb said be bad fought nine elections and his wife bad fought one election. Elections were not more difficult owing to tlie larger electorates. Women did not vote separately from men and gave as an election of public opinion.

Lord Birkenhead said: “I was against the extension of the Irancliise to women and I am so still, but there is no inconsistency in recommending this measure. The disaster took place in 1019. But for the war I believe we should have resisted the enfranchisement oT women for an indefinite period, but everybody went mad in PIT!) and gradually and inevitably we descended the slippery path. ft was first proposed by the Attorney-General to carry out the wishes of Lite Government. T lici'o were timely relevant arguments against enfranchising women in 1919 but there is none now. To throw out the bill would be to cover the House of Lords with ridicule. My recommendation to your Lordships is to go to tlie lobby in favour of tlie bill. Me gave a vote to tlie soldiers and we then found flic munition workers could not be resisted. Finally women munition workers had to lie included. Only a negligible minority voted against these proposals. At the time i took the view that having made a frank explanation to the House of Commons of imposition. it was my duty and enthusiasm, yet with a spirit of resolute resignation.

The Bill was read a second time by 114 votes to 35.