In the Commons on Friday week Mr. Stanger, the Member
for North Kensington, moved the second reading of the Bill con- ferring on women the same Parliamentary franchise possessed by men. The Bill, if it were adopted, would tend, he argued, to elevate political ideals, and raise the whole tone of our life. After the Motion had been supported by Mr. Acland, its rejection was moved and seconded by two Liberal Members, Mr. Cathcart Wason and Mr. Mallet, the former condemning the measure as one of the most revolutionary proposals ever brought forward. Mr. Herbert Gladstone, while promising his personal support, stated that, in view of the wide differences of opinion which prevailed on the subject, the Government had resolved to leave the matter to the decision of the House. While sympathising with the aims of the promoters, he felt obliged to remind them that the struggle of men for full franchise rights bad already lasted fo1 more than two centuries, and was not even yet concluded. There was a great and growing movement in women's favour, but it still lacked adequate numbers. Other speakers followed, the severest critics being found on the Liberal benches, and a Motion for the Closure having been agreed to without division, Mr. Wason's amendment was rejected by 271 votes to 92, the minority including Mr. Sinclair and Mr. Lewis Harcourt. The Bill was then -read a second time, and referred to a Com- mittee of the whole House.
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