The Calumet news., 1912-07-15
Thousands of New Voters viii be
Enfranchised Proposed
Plan Carriers
SLIM CHANGE FOR SUFFRAGE
Government viii Make Effort to
Reform Elections
GIVE VOTE TO EACH CITIZEN

London, july ll.--John A. Pease.
Minister OF Education. long chief Lib
eral whip and therefore an expert on
REGISTRATION, was put up by the govern
mont to introduce the promised Reform
and Registration Bin. the effect of
which would. among other things, he
Ia abolish plural voting and increase
the number of voters I'm the United
KINGDOM by some 2.250000
II is on this bill that the Government
has promised to give facilities for the
Introduction of an amendment to grant
the suffrage to women on the same
terms as to men. This amendment,
however, will not be government one,
and members are TO be left to vote as
they like on IT,. As the present House
of Commons has already declared it
self against votes for women. the
amendment has little chance of pass
ing. In fact. the bill itself has very
little chance of reaching the statute
book. with Home Rule and Welsh dis
establishment ahead of IL and hardly
lmg enough to discuss those two great
measures
The bill mas been introduced in keep
ing with three promises made by the
Prime Minister. The first was TO his
own supporters to do away With plural
voting. which II is generally admitted
iandiCaps Liberal candidates in the
constituencies. most of the landhclders
who have these plural votes casting
them against the Liberals. This prom
Use can be kept without the passa sc
Of the present bin, az another bill with
the same purpose has been introduced
10y private member and has already
passed its second reading. BY adopt
ing this bill as their own. the govern
mcnt can redeem this FIRST of Premier
Asquith's promises.
Leaders Oppose Suffrage.
The second promise was, If there was
time. TO remove the difficulties which
The present law places in the way Of
registration. This can also be carried
out in the private bill.
The next promise was to the suf-
fragists. to give facilities for the in
PRODUCTION of an amendment giving
votes to women. This will be carried
out but, as It will be opposed by
leaders on both sides of the house. it
Is not likely TO get further than an
Introduction. This would rinally dispose
Of the matter In the present Par
Lament Then the reform bill will be
lat ell ttt,1g ,kF
thing unforeseen happens, and the Lib
erals will get rid of plural voting by
private bill. and in the same way So
cure the passage Of any Of their fran
chise proposals that they consider vi
tai.
The bill introduced 10y Mr. Pease is
of far-reachtng effect BY IL the value
rf property as an element of quail
fcation would cease and every man of
Il Years of age. with six months resi-
dance or occupation In constituency,
could have his name placed on the
register without all the red tape which
makes The English system the most
cumbrous i'm the world. For example.
Under the present system, if man
removed from one house to another
IN the same street he automatically
lost his vote and could not get on the
list again until new one was being
prepared. which might mean year.
Under the bill lust introduced the lists
always remain oren. and n voter has
six months In which to notify the Of
fcials of his change of address There
are many other anomalies that would
be removed.
Would Repeal 28 Statutes.
These changes meet with the ap
proval of all but there are other
clauses in the BILL besides the aboll-
ton of plural voting. which the Con.
servatives bitterly oppose. The aboli
ton of University representation. which
would reduce the voting power of their
party in the House of Commons 10y
nine. is objected to on the ground
that the University constituencies are
The only ones where an education
qualification IL required This reduc-
ton ot the membership of the House
"i Commons, with the 81 taken away
Dy the Home Rule Bill. would make
the membership exactly 500. witt,
Hosle Rule for Scotland and Wales
which Liberals now look forward to.
The House would become stfli smaller
ono numerically
As slight sclatium for the loss of
plural votes. the peers. who heretofore
eouio not vote. are given this privi-
'ese with all other males OF n years
vi ese having residence or occupa-
ton" in the constituency This does
no' however, carry with II the right to
sn IN the House Of Commons.
The bill would repesi all the present