Asquith’s Obstinacy: 67 Merrion Square, Dublin. June 9th, 1914: Dear Sir, — The accompanying letter was received from the Prime Minister, in reply to a request from a number of representative Irishwomen, Poor Law Guardians, Town Councillors, and doctors, that he should receive a deputation asking for the inclusion of women in the Amending Home Rule Bill. It is only necessary to add that the principal point advanced by the Prime Minister in his speech of 1912 was, that the whole question of the enfranchisement of women was soon to be dealt with in connection with the introduction of the Manhood Suffrage Bill. It is within the memory of everybody that the Bill referred to was withdrawn by the Government, as they were unable to fulfil their pledges with regard to it. The other argument used by Mr. Asquith was that the question should be left for Ireland to decide. As he, however, appears to consider it unnecessary to hear the views of representative Irishwomen, and no opportunity was given during the recent passage of the Home Rule Bill through the House of Commons for the inclusion of women in this measure, it is rather difficult to see how Ireland is to be given an opportunity to decide, since, when the Home Rule Parliament is once set up, no alteration in the register can be made for three years.— Yours faithfully, Katherine Maguire, M.D. —- 10 Downing Street, London. June 8th, 1914. Dear Madam, — ln reply to your letter of the 28th inst., I am desired by the Prime Minister to remind you that the question to which you refer was thoroughly discussed in the House of Commons on November t2th, 1912, on an amendment in Committee by Mr. Snowden to the Government of Ireland Bill. The Prime Minister explained the views of the Government on the subject on that occasion, and I am to refer you to the speech then made, to which he has nothing to add. With all respect to the members of the proposed deputation, and those whom they represent, the Prime Minister cannot think that in these circumstances any useful purpose would be served by his again going over the ground, and he must therefore decline the request contained in your letter. —Yours faithfully, G. B. (sic) Pinsent. Miss K. Maguire, M.D.: — —The following letters were sent to Mr. Asquith and Mr. Redmond on behalf of those members of the Deputation who crossed from Ireland and waited in the House of Commons for a reply: To Rt. Hon. H. Asquith, M.P., House of Commons. Sir, — We have received with regret your letter, refusing to receive a deputation of Irishwomen with regard to the inclusion Votes for Irishwomen in your proposed Amendment Bill. In view of the fact that since the discussion of the Snowden Amendment Home Rule Bills have been introduced, with Government sanction and approval, for Wales and Scotland, giving Votes to Welsh and Scottish women, we submit that the situation has materially changed. Moreover, on the occasion of the Snowden Amendment to the Irish Home Rule Bill, it was definitely stated that the matter would come up again in the debate on the Reform Bill, an opportunity which, owing to the Speaker’s ruling, never occurred. Representatives of our Committee will therefore wait upon you here in order to lay certain important facts before you. As we have travelled from Ireland expressly for the purpose of seeing you, we trust that you will do us the courtesy of hearing what we have to say by according us a brief interview in the presence of the Press. — Yours faithfully, Katherine Maguire, M.D. —- House of Commons, June 11th, 1914: … To J. Redmond, M.P.: Dear Sir, — A deputation, representing a joint committee of representative Irishwomen, has crossed from Ireland with the special purpose of laying certain facts before you regarding the necessity of the inclusion of Votes for Irishwomen in the Amending Home Rule Bill. We shall be obliged for the courtesy of a brief interview in the presence of the Press and await your answer here. — Yours faithfully, on behalf of the Committee, Katherine Maguire, M.D.
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0365 Devonport: Gerald Hume Saverie Pinsent: 1888 – 1976