Main Performers | Mrs Millicent Fawcett, Mrs Creighton, Mr William Barton MP, Lord Lytton, Miss Maude Royden, Mr Robert Smillie, Mr Fenner Brockway, Mr A Henderson MP - speakers |
Secondary Performers | Miss Alice Millest - vocal, Mrs F Walker, FRCO (nee Layton) - organ |
Set List | Resolution (Milicent Fawcett): 'That this meeting expresses profound indignation at the refusal of the Prime Minister to receive a deputation from the 562 men representing 342 organizations and from the many hundreds of men in their individual capacity attending this meeting. Mr Asquith has declared that he has yet to be convinced that there is a demand for Women's Suffrage in the county, and this meeting protests against his refusal to inform himself of the demand by hearing the views of these men who represent all shades of opinion in every part of the country.' Seconded (Mr William Barton MP), Resolution (Mrs Creighton), Resolution (Mr Arthur Henderson MP): 'That this meeting demands a Governement Measure for the enfranchaisement of women.' Seconded (Lord Lytton), 'National Song', A Millest (Pupil of Miss Marie Brema), Collection (Miss Auerbach, Miss Maude Royden, Mr Robert Smillie, Mr Fenner Brockway), 'God Save the King' (The National Anthem), 22:15 Carriages |
Performance Notes | "Mrs Fawcett presided at the Albert Hall at a public meeting organized by the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies. The Hall was filled in very part and on the platform were several hundred delegates from Labour Organizations. Mrs Fawcett said the meeting was unprecedented in the history of the movement, in that it demonstrated the support and sympathy of men's organizations. They had with them professional and business men and many hundreds of delegates from town councils, trade councils, and trade unions. Those men represented an important political force. Politicians listened to the demand of those who had votes and neglected the cry of the voteless. Mr Asquith had refused to receive a deputation from the meeting. (Shame!)" (The Times, 15 February 1914)
According to the Daily Telegraph (16 February 1914) people in the audience included Lady Anderson, Lady Betty Balfour, Countess Brassey, Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, Lady Matthews, Countess Cairns, Lady Gib, Lady Scott, Lady Lawrence, the Hon. Violet Parker, Miss Irene Vanbrugh, Mrs Cecil Chapman, Sir Thomas Barclay, Reverend Canon Rawnsley, and Sir Ernest Rutherford.
"During the evening a collection was made on behalf of what is known as 'The Mandate Fund.' The object of the fund is to enable the public to give the Government a madate for women's suffrage. It is hoped to raise £40,000 for a great constitutional campaign throughout the country, so that at the next general election women's suffrage may find a place in theprogramme f every party. Before the meeting closed donations or promises were received for a total of more than £6,000. Mrs Lees, of Oldham, gave £1,000." (The Manchester Guardian, 16 February 1914) |
Related Archival Material | Programme (RAHE/1/1914/7A) |