Men of Kent: Premier rejects claim to an Interview: Men of Kent, many of whom were railwaymen from the works at Ashford, came to London on Saturday afternoon last for the express purpose of laying their views before Mr. Asquith at Downing Street with regard to the enfranchisement of Women. The deputation, which numbered about forty, therefore marched to Whitehall at around 3.30 in the afternoon. A considerable crowd collected. Five men were selected to approach the Premier and the general body awaited their return. When the party reached 10 Downing Street, they were met by Mr. Asquith’s private secretary, who explained the Premier himself was out of London, and undertook to place before him on his return any views the deputation desired to submit. The deputation refused to interview Mr. Asquith’s secretary and expressed their indignation at not being able to see the premier … … (statement of the group’s position on Women’s Suffrage and history of their attempts to see Premier) … “we intend to take our stand upon this question and demand justice for the women. And seeing that you will not put the question before the electorate that we may give our mandate at the polls, we ask as representative men that you will reconsider your refusal to see us and allow us to present our various view before you.” Mr. Asquith’s Refusal: to this, Mr. Pinsent replied the next day on behalf of the Prime Minister: “Dear Sir. – I am desired by the Prime Minister to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th inst., and to express his regret that he is unable to depart from his decision not to receive a deputation from your committee. I am to remind you that the Prime Minister has frequently expressed the attitude of the Government towards Women’s Suffrage both in the House of Commons and to the numerous deputations which have waited on him on this subject, and he has nothing to add to his statements on these occasions.” Councillor Bolton then announced the intentions of the deputation in the following words: – “We shall call at No. 10, Downing Street, on Saturday afternoon, the 25th inst., at 3.45 o’clock, in order to prove to the public that there is a demand for Votes for Women to which you, in opposition to the people’s will, decline to listen. We shall come in constitutional fashion and create no disturbance and beg that we may not be molested by the police.” To this Mr. Pinsent replied in a final letter as follows: – “I am desired by the Prime Minister to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th inst., and to say he regrets that he cannot depart from his decision not to receive your deputation on the question of Women’s Suffrage. If, however, you adhere to your intention to call at this address next Saturday at 3.45 the Private Secretary will be willing to accept anything which you may wish to lay before the Prime Minister in writing. It is regretted, however, that it will not be possible to allow more than twenty members of the deputation to enter Downing Street, or more than five to enter this house.”
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