FRANCHISE BILL

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 25 January 1913, Page 5

FRANCHISE BILL

CABLE NEWS

i United -j. ress £:cjciation—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.}

SBNSATIO.N JN THE COMMON'S. | . ! EFFECT OF THE SPEAKER'S j RULING. (Received Last 11.30 o'clock.) LONDON, January 21. A sensation was caused in the House of Commons by a, speech delivered by Mr Bonar-Law, in reply to the. discussion on his amendment to the Franchise Bill. He -said that the Speaker, without expressing an opinion concerning the Government's amendments, including that of cancelling tho ''occupation" clause in, the Franchise Bill, had warned tho House of the general principles that, if in committee a Bill was so amended as to materially affect its substance, it must be withdrawn, and a new Bill introduced. Mr Bonar-Law claimed that the woman's 'suffrage amiendv.ients had made a huge difference to the Bill. "Heaven only knows," he said, "What form it will eventually take." Members would interpret the ruling to' mean that if the suffrage amendments were carried, the Rill would be dead, as there would he no timo in the present session to reintroduce and .rediscuss.it. If Sir' Edward Grey's amendment was rejected, itio Government would have to withdraw the Franchise Bill, and proceed instead with the Baker's Bill.

Mr Bonar-Law's amendment, declining to accept a limitation of discussim wa.s negatived by 259 votes to 19].

The Premier's resolution, that tho Tiill be discussed to time-table, was ndopted.

' The Chronicle suggests that the Government, immediately drop the Franchise Bill, and introduce an alternative Bill, covering various forms ol women's franchise, and promising that the Bill will be finally adopted «bould it contain the same advantages as are offered under the Franchise Bill.