HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 29, 5 September 1891, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thursday, September 3. Captain Bussell presented a petition from Judge Edwards, praying for consideration of his case. The petition was ordered to be printed. The House" went into Committee on the Female Suffrage Bill.— The Premier said this was not a Government measure, and the members of the Government were divided in opinion upon it. He himself was in favour of it, and took it up on his own responsibility and gave facilities ior it. His own opinion was that the Bill should not come into force until 1894. — Clause 2, " electoral franchise extended to women" was agreed to on the voices. — Mr Blake moved the addition of another clause, delaying the operation of the Bill until the 31st March, 1893. Sir John Hall thanked the Premier for giving facilities tor bringing the Bill forward, but said he wished to express his great disappointment at the attitude he had now assumedMr Blake's new clause was then read a second time on the voices, — MrCarncross then moved the addition of another clause enabling any female elector to be elected a representative for any electoral district. — A long discussion ensued, at the conclusion of which the new clause was agreed to by 30 to 24. The Bill was read a third time and passed, a result greeted with applause. The House rose at 1.15 a.m. Fbiday. September 4. Captain Russell said he had presentod a long petition from Judge Edwards, which, brought up important constitu* tional questions, and as the ordinary committee would probably not hare time to enquire into it he asked the Premier whether he would assist him in setting up a Select Committee to deal with the matter. The Premier said he would consider the question, and give an answer on Monday or Tuesday. The Government Loans to Local Bodies Act Amendment Bill (No, 2), went through committee with several amendments. The Legislative Council Bill was read a third time by 40 to 12 and passed. __