The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-24
GOVERNMENT WINS
IN EARLY SK|RM|SH
ON FRANCHISE BILL
Movement to Reject the
Premier's Time Limita-
tiOns in Debate Is
Defeated

London, January 23.-The government
won the preliminary skirmish on the
franchise bill in the house of commons
tonight The amendment proposed by
Andrew Bonar Law, the opposition leader,
to reject the premiers time limitations
In the debate was defeated by vote of
259 to 1s1.
Premier Asquith made quite clear the
attitude of himself and his colleagues
In the cabinet on the subject of women S
suffrage today when he moved the adop-
ton of the time schedule for the debate
on the franchise reform bill in the house
of commons. The premier said opinions
on woman suffrage was so sharply di-
vided on both sides of the house that it
was impossible for any government to
propose the enactment of votes for wom-
en-. With the full consent of the cabinet
he decided to leave the question to the
free judgment of the house.
James Lowther, speaker of the house
of commons, made a pronouncement
which perhaps is ominous of the fate of
the womens suffrage amendment, 1t is
pointed out He was asked for a ruling
as to whether the proposed amendments
would not so materially alter the bill its
withdrawal would be neeessitated. The
speaker said the general rule of parlia-
faent was that il the form and substance
of the bill were materially changed by
amendments it should be Withdrawn and
new bill presented. The speakers state
rnent created a profound impression and
efforts have been renewed to assure the
safe of tha franchise reform hill
by defeating the women's suffrage
amendment introduced by Sir Edward.
The cabinet held a meeting this after
noon to consider the result of the speak
ers pronouncement, but no decision was
reached. An adjournment was taken un-
til tomorrow morning, but the general
opinion prevails that, whatever the re-
suit of the Grey amendment. the gov
eminent will drop the franchise bill.
II hope we shall win on Monday" David
Bloyd-George, chancellor of the cx-
chequer, today told deputation of suf-
fragettes, representing the working won-
en- of the British Isles, who he and Sir
Edward Grey, the foreign secretary. re-
ceived at the treasury department.
II certainly shall do my very best to
see the amendment to the reform fran
chise bill eliminating the word Male
is passed by the house of commons" he
said, "Since | got into the cabinet have
become a stronger supporter of woman
suffrage than ever before. My expert
ence during the passing of the state in
surance legislation has persuaded me that
one of the most gross pieces of injustice
in our life is that no women have voices
in the determination of matters which
affect them more closely than men.
am convinced that we shall win and
win very soon" The chancellor then
went on to say that the liberal govern
ment was ready to stand or fall by
Premier Asquith's pledge that "if the
house of commons approved the extern
sion of the franchise to women, the gov-
ernment would support it, Sir Edward
Grey gave similar assurances to the dep
utation, but warned the women that the
opposition to be overcome was very for
nidable, and that it could not be done by
menace or personal malevolence and an
noyance.