HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 152, 18 June 1891, Page 3

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

' WEDNESDAY,' JUNE 17. • Sir George Grey, member for Newton, took the oath and his seat. Mr Thompson. (Marsden), moved an adjournment of the House to enable him to refer to the Atkinson -Sperry charges ■of last year. Alluding to the letter which' the late Premier had, written respecting the charges, he (Thompson) had made Against Sperry, he challenged Sir Harry -Atkinson or any of his friends to prove the; ■charges he had made m that letter ' against him, and if they did prove them he (Thompson) would resign his seat in the House.' . Replying to Mr Hutchison (Dunedin), the Hon. Mr -Seddon promised that the Government would take steps to confine a week's, work as far as "possible to six .days, maintaining the freedom of Sunday from toil.' They would also urge this ' matter on the Railway Commissioners, so «b to put a stop to any unnecessary Sunday traffic. Sir John Hall introduced a Bill to con fer tne electoral franchise on women. The second reading of- the Electoral Bill was resumed. Mr Fisher congratulated tbe Government on the introduction of this meaeure, - which, he considered, was a distinct advance on previous electoral Bills. 'He could not, however,' agree with the provision to prohibit betting on elections, aB he objected to , siich restrictions being placed jon any man. Sir George Grey could not help feeling that the Bill was one for which the Government deserved every credit. .- Mr Saunders agreed with the proposal to close pubhchouses on polling day. The Hon. Mr Brjce admitted that tho Bill was a consolidating men sure, and he had little but piaise for it and would give - the Government every a&-istaucein carry ing it. He was fully in favour of giving women a vote. .' Mr Rail Jones moved tbe adjournment of the debase, which was carried on the "yoices.'l ._• „.-/-.,'. -'•' The -House rose at 10.30.