Page:History of Woman Suffrage Volume 6.djvu/779

WOMAN SUFFRAGE IN BRITISH COLONIES 763 approaching session of Parliament. Later the War Cabinet in- vited all of the large organizations of women in the Dominion to send representatives to a conference with the Government in Ottawa on March i. There was a very large response and the delegates were welcomed by the Governor General, the Duke of Devonshire, with a tribute to the conduct of women during the war. The President of the Privy Council, N. W. Rowell, outlined the work of the Conference and the confidence felt by the Govern- ment in the continued assistance of women. They were assured by various members of the Government of the desire for their suggestions on all matters connected with the carrying on of the war. The conference lasted for a week and the women submitted their recommendations, the first of which was that women should be permitted to take a fuller share in the responsibilities of government. All of these were respectfully and cordially received by the members of the Cabinet. The Parliament opened on March 18. The Duke of Devon- shire read the speech from the throne to galleries crowded with women and said in the course of it : "A bill for extending the franchise to women, with suitable provisions respecting naturali- zation, will be submitted and commended to your consideration." Sir Robert Borden introduced the bill March 21 and an extended discussion took place in the House on the 23rd. There was no real opposition, although the members from Quebec were not friendly, saying that it was not wanted there by men or women. Sir Wilfred Laurier favored woman suffrage but thought it should be conferred only by the Provinces. The ier spoke ,-it length in moving the second reading. It p;i without division and a^ain on tin- third reading April 12, lyiS, when the full Parliamentary or Fedep1 suffrage w^ conferred on every woman who fulfilled the f<>liowiiijudiiiQiis : (i) I> ,- t I.ritish subject: (2) is of the full age of 21 years or upwards; possesses the qualifications which would entitle a male pe- to vote at a Dominion election in the Province in which the woman is seeking to vote, provided that a married woman or a liter living at home with her parent- shall be deemed to have any necessary property or income qualifications if her hus- band or either of her par qualified A woman is banned