THE SPEAKER’S OPINION
WOMAN SUFFRAGE AMENDMENTS CANNOT BE EMBODIED. THE PRIME MINISTER IS TROUBLED. Mr Chamberlain insisted that women were psychologically and physically different from men. The House was not entitled to mako such a momentous" change without a mandate from the people. The Conservatives would stultify their argument against the Parliament Act if they supported enfranchising women by its aid. The Speaker has given the Cabinet a written opinion that if any women suffrage amendments are embodied in the Franchise Bill ho must rule that the principles of the Bill have been cnanged, and it is therefore out of order to proceed with it The Cabinet, after ninety minutes' discussion, faded to decido on a course of actionIt is expected that the Franchise Bill will be withdrawn on Monday. It is understood that the Premier is
troubled at his inability to fulfil his pledge to the suffragettes. Lord Courtney, in a letter, recalls Disraeli’s Bill of ISG7 and Gladstone’s of 1884 when the same question arose and the Speaker did not definitely object. The Labour party’s whip emphasises the importance of Monday’s sitting of Parliament. Ho states that if Sir Edward Grey’s amendment is defeated, the Franchise Bill may be dropped and the Hons© may then proceed with tho Trades Union Bill.
Tho Speaker, in reply to a question, by Mr Bonar Law, leader of the Opposition-, said that, without expressing an opinion on tho Government's amendments, including that cancelling tho occupation franchise, ho had to_ warn the House as to tho general principle that if in committee a Bill was so amended as maternally to affect its substance, it must bo withdrawn and a now Bill introduced. The Women’s Suffrage amendments mado a huge difference to the Bill, and Heaven only knew what form it would eventually take. Alembers interpreted the ruling to mean that if tho woman suffrage amendments aro carried tho Bill will he dead, as there is no time in the present session to reintroduce and redisouss it
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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8339, 27 January 1913, Page 8
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333THE SPEAKER’S OPINION New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8339, 27 January 1913, Page 8
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