THE SUFFRAGISTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2335, 30 October 1908, Page 5

THE SUFFRAGISTS.

A STARTLING DEMONSTRATION.

FOURTEEN PERSONS ARRESTED

United Press Association. Copyright (Received Oct. 29, .9.50 p.m.)

LONDON, Oct. 29

'The House of Commons was startled last evening by a female suffrage placard thrust through the iron trellis of the ladies gallery, wlienco shrill cries of “Votes for "Women” proceeded. Two women were found padlocked to the grating by a chain engirdling their bodies. They declined to unlock themselves, and continued to shout and upbraid the male legislators. The police removed a portion of the’ grating, and conveyed the offenders, still attached to sections of the grating, to a committee room. Locksmiths filed away the links, and both were liberated in Old Palace Yard. Simultaneously with their demonstration a man in the strangers’ gallery opposite demanded justice for women, and threw leaflets on the floor of the House. Pie was expelled. Later another man shouted, “Justice for the unemployed! Votes for women,” and showered pamphlets on the members’ heads. He was expelled shouting and struggling fiercely. Meanwhile members of the Women’s Freedom League by twos and threes penetrated as far as St. Stephen’s Hall. They pretended to be waiting to see individual members of the House of Commons. Suddenly an ineffectual concerted rush to the lobby was made by thorn. Fourteen, including several outside, notably Miss Maloney, or bellringing fame, were arrested. She was on the top of the pedestal of Richard Coeiir de Lion’s statue near the entrance of the House of Lords, and tried to harangue the crowd in Palace Yard. The Speaker ordered the ladies’ and strangers’ galleries to be closed in future. Miss Muriel Mathers, one of the padlocked women, informed an interviewer after her release that she had voted twice in Australian elections. Later she was arrested for participating in the disturbance in Palace Yard. Her companion, Miss Fox, disappeared, and has not yet been arrested.