WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 29

WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.

A RAID REPULSED. FIFTY ARRESTS MADE. LONDON, February 12. A meeting of suffragists from all parts of England was held in the Caxton Hall. alvs Patuck Lawrence presided, and w?s supported by Misses Pankhurst and Kenny. It was resolved to demand an immediate measure of franchise, and also to appoint a deputation to see Sir H. Camp-bell-Bannerman. Meanwhile a previously-arranged raid on the House of Commons was developing. A " pantechnicon " v.in stopped at the entrance to St. Stephen's, and its Dack doors swung open i>nd 30 suffragettes emerged. They endeavoured to storm the entrance, but the police arrested 20, and the rest were repulsed. A second vanload met the same fate. The Caxton Hall contingents then arrived in quick succession, with the intention of compelling the police to make 150 arrests, bu* lack of spirit on the part of the militants and the determination of the police to effect only the necessary ariests, totalling 50, resulted in the defeat of the scheme. February 13. One of the suffragettes who was arrested yesterday was fined 40s or a. month's imprisonment, and others were bound over to find sureties to keep the peace 'or undergo six weeks' imprisonment. A sexagenaaian, who was discharged, was disappointed. All except two chose imprisonment. The suffragettes at Caxton Hall announced that the movement would be continued with increasing energy. Many subscriptions have been acknow edged. The prisoneis, on going to Holloway Gaol, sent the following message: "All well ; very cheerful. The only thin.g we care about is that the Government will bo forced to yield. We are keener than ever. Heaviei sentences w ill not deter us. We consider that there is an indication that the Government 16 afraid of our agitation." February 14. The authorities are hinting at the existence of an act ot Chailes the Second piohibiting more than 10 oppioaclnng Parliament with a petition. Mrs Pankhurst, and Miss Kenny, and 11 otheis, in order to challenge the enforcement of the act, left Caxton Hall for St. Stephens, and declined to disperse. Ten of them were arrested. They were disappointed because they were not prosecuted under th.it act, being merely charged with obstructing and resisting the police. Mi Gladstone (Home Secretary) 6tatcd in the House of Commons that the imprisoned suffragettes could leave prison when they chose to give the necessary sureties.

Mr Gladstone stated in the House of Commons that last year, when the suffragettes' offences were firjat offences, he made representations, hoping that leniency would prove effective, but the leniency was used for the purpose of encouraging further offences. It was no part of his duty to constantly interfere with the discretion of the capable and experienced stipendiaries, who were exercising it fairly in the public interest. February 15. Miss Kenny, another of the suffragettes who were arrested whilst attempting to storm Parliament House, was fined £5, with the alternative of a month's imprisonment. Seven other defendants were ordered to enter into sureties to ke p the peace, ia default six weeks' imj ison« ment. All the defendants elected to go to aol*