7 NOVEMBER 1908, Page 19

On Monday in the House of Commons there was a

long discussion upon Clause XX. of the Licensing Bill, which gives Justices powers to attach various conditions to the renewal of a license. Mr. Asquith announced that, having regard to the information which had reached him from many quarters, and also to the amendments which were on the Order-paper, he had decided not to press the proposal to prohibit women and children from serving in public-houses. We agree that the dangers to which barmaids are exposed are not worse than in many occupations, and their exclusion is open to the rejoinder that men wish to take the work for themselves. Mr. Asquith also announced that he was prepared to introduce a special compulsory clause for the closing of all public-houses on Parliamentary polling-days.