Welsh Journals

suit of a more than human impartiality tends at times to an inhuman flatness and colourlessness. Acton's profound analysis becomes mere subtlety; his lofty ethical fervour is warped into hypercriticism on the one hand or casuistry on the other. Gwatkin -not quite alone, for Maitland is by his side- Brecon. THE PRESENT POSITION OF WOMAN'S SUFFRAGE THERE are not wanting signs that the Woman's Suffrage Movement is approaching a time of crisis. In order to understand what has led up to this it is necessary to consider the various political events bearing upon the question of the enfranchisement of women which have taken place during the past twelve months. It will be within the knowledge of all that the existing Register of Voters is the one prepared in 1914. That Register does not now represent the manhood of the country. Of the voters on its roll thousands are serving in the Army, thousands have laid down their lives on the Field of Honour, and thousands have removed from one district to another for the purposes of War work and Munition making. On December Ilth. 1915, the Government intro- duced a Bill to prolong the life of Parliament and to keep in force the existing Register of Electors. In July, 1916, the Home Secretary moved the appoint- ment of a Select Committee to consider the Register and Franchise Reform. After considerable discus- sion the Prime Minister withdrew his proposals, the general view of the House being that the Government should undertake the problem them- selves. On August 14th, a Bill was introduced to extend the life of Parliament and to amend the Registration Act. It was on this occasion that the Prime Minister-a lifelong opponent of the claims of women to enfranchisement-made his memorable recantation. Speaking of the women's demand for direct representation, he said—"They say that when the War comes to an end, and when the pro cess of industrial reconstruction has to be set on foot, have not the women a special claim to be heard on the many questions which will arise directly affecting their interests, and possible meaning for them large displacement of labour ? I cannot think that the House will deny that, and, I say quite frankly, that I cannot deny that claim." stands almost invariably on one and the same high level. Owing to the slightness of his published work it would be rash to predict for him permanent fame. Yet his pupils will treasure his memory, and be ever grateful for his inspiration he was honoured in his generation, and was a glory in his days." R. T. Jenkins. On August 16th, the Bill was read a second time and committed. It was during this debate that Mr. Walter Long put forward the idea of a Con- ference of various political groups in Parliament to consider electoral and franchise reform. On October 12th, the first meeting of the projected Conference took place and meetings are still in progress. The Conference consists of Members of the House of Commons representing various sections of political opinion and of a small number of Peers. The terms of reference are I Reform of the franchise. 2. Basis for redistribution of seats. 3. Reform of the electoral registration system. 4. Method of election and ways in which election costs are borne. Their report is anxiously awaited by all those, whether in or out of Parliament, who are interested in questions of electoral reform. Meanwhile, on November 1st, the House of Commons went into Committee on the Government Bill for a new Register. It was received with des- tructive criticism from all sides, and the Prime Minister realising the situation accepted a motion to report progress at the same time expressing his willingness to confer with Sir Edward Carson- identified with the movement to confer votes on all soldiers and sailors as such-and Sir John Simon- indentified with the movement for adult suffrage for men and women. Such then is the present position in the political world. It is not too much to say that the failure of the Government to arrive at a solution of the pro- blem of the Register is largely due to their failure to arrive at a solution of the problem of the women's claim to direct representation. Let us now consider the position in the country at large. Women do not admit that their claim to the vote rests upon any services rendered to the