IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 209, 23 January 1913, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

THE SUFFRAGE AMENDMENTS. A CHOICE OF COURSES. !>}* Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, J;imnirv 21.

There is much canvassing in the lobbies. Some Liberals are so opposed to the suffrage movement that they threaten, if the Hill is amended, not to support the third reading. They state that the use of the Parliament Act to carry women's suffrage would be a constitutional outrage. Mr. Asquith's embarrassing position is influencing doubtful Liberals. Good judges believe that Sir Edward Grey's amendment, if passed by a small majority, would only establish the principle, making it necessary afterwards to carry other amendments. Mr. Henderson, on behalf of the Labor Party, pioposed adult suffrage. Mr. W. 11. Dickinson's amendment gives the vote to women over the age of 25 who are occupiers of houses or wives of occupiers, enfranchising six million women.

The Hon. Alfred Lyttelton proposes tc add women voting at the municipal elections, enfranchising one million. Thirty Conservatives have promised their support to Mr. Dickinson, whose amendment will exclude the Irish, in the hope that the Nationalists will be persuaded to abstain from the division. It is understood that 5S are against votes for women and 25 in favor. The Nationalists hold the key to the situation.

Lord Curzon presided at a crowded anti-suffrage meeting at the Queen's Hall. The speakers were Mr. Hobliouse, Sir Edwaid Clarke, and Mrs. Humphrey Ward, supported by many members of the House of Commons. Letters of sympathy were sent by Messrs. McKenna, Healy and Austin Chamberlain.

CITY OF LOXDOX FRANCHISE. London, January 21. A meeting of the City Conservative Association passed a resolution against the disfranchisement of the City. Mr. Balfour said he did not believe that madness ever went further. All the characteristic institutions of the city would vanish. The importance of the City, nationally and internationally, was greater than ever. He pointed out that the Government-had passed a measure permitting 42 Irishmen to vote on affairs outside their interest. He and his colleagues would not spare their efforts tc save something from the wreck.

THE GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAMME. Received 22. 10.5 p.m. London, January 22. The Prime Minister states that he hopes to conclude the Welsh Disestabhshment Bill and the Franchise Bill by February 12. Thereafter the House will consider the Trade Union and Railways Bills and adjourn about February ID till March 13.

Mr. Bonar Law protested against the pioposal to discuss the Trade Union and Railways Bills after 10.30.

The Prime Minister replied that it was necessary if the House had to have a holidav.

Twelve clauses of the Disestablishment Bill were guillotined yesterday.