SENSATION IN THE HOUSE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8338, 25 January 1913, Page 5

SENSATION IN THE HOUSE

CAUSED BY STATEMENT BY THE SPEAKER. ' THE WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE AMENDMENTS. (Received January 24, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 24. A sensation has been caused in the House of Commons. Replying to Mr Bonar Law, the Speaker, without expressing any opinion on the Government’s amendment, including that cancelling the occupation franchise, warned the House of tho general principle that if in committee a Bill is so amended as to materially effect its substance it must bo withdrawn and a new Bill introduced-. He said that the women’s suffrage amendments made a huge difference in tho Bill, and Heaven only knew what form it would eventually take. Members interpreted tho ruling to mean that if the suffragette amendments were carried the Bill would bo dead, as there is no time in the present session to re-introduce and dc-discuss it. If Sir Edward Grey’s amendment is rejected the Government will also withdraw' the Franchise Bill and proceed instead with Mr Baker’s Bill. Mr Bonar Law’s amendment was negatived by 259, votes to 191. The Premier’s resolution was adopted. Tho “Daily Chronicle” suggests that the Government immediately drop the Franchise Bill and adopt Mr Baker’s Bill; also that it introduce alternative Bills covering the various forms of women’s franchise and promising that tho Bill finally adopted should have the same advantages ns those offered under tho Franchise Bill.