SIR E. GREY’S AMENDMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8339, 27 January 1913, Page 8

SIR E. GREY’S AMENDMENT

SPEAKER'S WARNING INCREASES PROBABILITY OF DEFEAT. ANTI-SUFFRAGE PETITION PRESENTED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, January 25. Tho Speaker's warning has increased the probability of Sir Edward Grey's amendment being defeated. An anti-suffrage petition containing tho signatures of 47,881 men ;md women has been presented to" the House of Commons.

Mr Lyttelton, in moving Sir Edward Grey’s amendment in committee, contended that the amendment simply demonstrated that tho subject was worthy of discussion. Air Lewis Haroourt (Secretary of State for tho Colonies) said tho introduction of such a gigantic proposal under tho Parliament Act would be a grave blow to that Act. He did not like tho referendum, but it would be the best method. A year ago Sir Lloyd George had declared that ho had not had a mandate, yet he was' mow endeavouring to pass an amendment under tho Parliament Act.

Hr Harcourt denounced AD Lloyd George’s inconsistency in supporting tho Norwegian system, which would disfranchise 4,000,000 working women if applied to Britain. The Chancellor of tho Exchequer had not hesitated to take their insurance money, hut apparently -feared to take their opinion. Ho hoped that on further consideration Mr Lloyd George would be able to adapt himself to the principles and practice of his democracy. In response to a point raised by Mr Lloyd George, Mr Whitley (Chairman of Committees) created a surprise by ruling that as the Bill was one to extend tho franchise, the amendments proposed came within the scope of Sir Edward Grey’s amendment. If that were carried, and no others were carried, the Bill would then only apply to male voters. WILL GOVERNMENT WITHDRAW THE BILL? (Received January 26, 5.5 pjn.) LONDON, January 26. It was stated yesterday that the Cabinet had decided to withdraw tho Franchise BilL 1