SUFFRAGETTES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 474, 31 August 1909, Page 3

SUFFRAGETTES.

London, August 29

Mrs Despard and several other suffragettes were charged at Bow Street Police Court in connection with the disturbance arising out of the recent attempt to present a petition to Mr Asquith. Mr Tim Healey, M.P., defending, maintained that his clients were entitled constitutionally to present a petition to the Sovereign or the Sovereign’s chief officer. He contrasted the toleration allowed to powerful combinations in regard to assembling outside factories under the Trades Union Act of 1906 with the treatment meted out to these ladies, standing day after day in all weathers, humbly asking for a vote. Would a British jury blame them or a man for refusing to see them ? , If the Magistrate declined to acquit defendants, he would ask him to state a case. Then it would be ascertained whether the judges of the High Court thought the rights of millions could be swept away at the bidding of a casual, ephemeral Premier. If the defendants had gone to applaud Mr Asquith or the Liberal Party or the Budget they would mot have been removed. Mr Curtis Bennett, the presiding magistrate, reserved decision lor a week.