Mr. Lloyd George received a deputation from the Bangor branch of the National Council of Women last night on the franchise question. Two questions were placed before him, as follows:- (1) Would he support equal franchise for women at 21? (2) Would he oppose any attempt to link up the question of equal franchise with any controversial change in the existing system which would prejudice its chances of success?
In the course of his reply, Mr. LLOYD GEORGE said that the Government was committed, and he fancied that the House of Commons would follow the lead. "When the Government Bill comes before the House of Commons I shall support equality," he added. "That, I think, will be the attitude of every Liberal member, but we shall also press as hard as we can for the reform of the electoral system, which will secure the representation for minorities and enable the country to have a House of Commons which is a faithful reflection of the wishes of the majority of the people. I have always been in favour of equal and democratic franchise for both men and women. I have never been able to understand why the vote should be given to one half of the human race and denied to the other. I have never been able to understand why anybody should discriminate against the female sex in the matter of giving them a voice in the Government.
"This affects the homes of the country in which they have a more direct and very often much more absolute control. That was the reason I opposed the Conciliation Bill. I thought it was a sham. When I had the opportunity and supreme responsibility, as head of a Government, to introduce and support a measure of women's franchise on a democratic basis, or of not doing it, I threw the whole of my influence in favour of the franchise of women on a democratic basis. I am very glad the Government have committed themselves to the principle of equality, and that, moreover, they have undertaken to introduce a measure which would be effective before the next General Election. I know nothing of the divisions in the Cabinet, except what has been reported, but in so far as I understand it there was no difference of opinion as to whether there should be equality. It was all a question as to whether you should have equality at 25 or 21.
"When you come to the question as to whether it should be complicated by any other reforms of the franchise, I am not altogether with you there. I think myself that if the Government undertake an enormous extension of the franchise affecting millions of people, they ought to take advantage of that opportunity to set right the grievance from which minorities in this country suffer through the working of the present system, which is grossly unfair in its operation. Not one of the last four Governments has represented a majority of the people. One day that may be a very serious business. I think it is now. I am all for equal franchise, but I cannot imagine it would really interfere with the progress of the measure and its completion if it were accompanied by a Bill which would redress a grievance - a palpable one - from which the masses of this country, men and women, are suffering. Electoral reform has always been accompanied in the past by a redistribution of seats."
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