our Western Provinces, Ontario and New Brunswick, receiving almost
the full vote of the women. The Opposition carried Quebec, Nova Scotia
and Prince Edward Island.

During the campaign the Premier several times pledged himself and his
Government to equal suffrage for women and it was generally recognized
that if they were re-elected this pledge would be redeemed at an early
date. This action was urged by the Labor members. On Feb. 15, 1918,
the Government announced the extension of the full suffrage to the
women of Canada as a part of its policy and its consideration of the
measure at the approaching session of Parliament. Later the War
Cabinet invited all of the large organizations of women in the
Dominion to send representatives to a conference with the Government
in Ottawa on March 1. 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 Government 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 Devonshire 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 naturalization, 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 Premier spoke at length in moving the second reading.
It passed without division and again on the third reading April 12,
1918, when the full Parliamentary or Federal suffrage was conferred on
every woman who fulfilled the following condi