BRITISH POLITICS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9400, 22 March 1909, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

-, . UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE BILL. ’ ' United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. London, March 20. ' In the’ House of Commons, • Geoffrey Howard’s Bill giving a vote to every man and woman of full age was read a second time by 157 to 123. Mr Asqnith, who was not unsympathetic, stated that the Government was not of one mind on the question of. female suffrage, though they favoured the extension of the franchise but as such changes should come from a responsible Government he would not vote for the second reading. Suffragists, both militant and unmiitant, repudiated the Bill on the ground that it would add fifteen millions ot the voting list and so prove reactionary, also that it would postpone indefinitely the grantting of equaltiy of the sexes. An anti-suffrage petition, signed by 243,552 women, has neen presented to the House of Commons. London, Maroh2o. The Governments of South Africa express sympathy with the Imperial General Staff scheme, but informed Mr Haldane that nothing in the shape of adopting the scheme was possible under pending federation.