HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 86, 8 October 1896, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WELLr\GTON, October 7. The Electoral Bill passed through Committee. Amongst the ataeudrnents embodied iv the Bill were the followiug on the motion of the member for Palmerston — " That the Regi-star for Elec tors must notify all persons enrolled after the printing of the general roll ; that ho must notify electors of adjoining districts of the alterations made in the roll after the alteration of districts ; Replications for transfer of name must be se"nt to the Registrar and one filed ; every Deputy Returning Officer must declare the results of the polling at his own booth. Another clause, proposed by Mr Piraui, to provide that a scrutineer may make known the names of persons who have voted at any time before the close of the poll, was opposed by the Premier on the ground that it would interfere with the secrecy of the ballot. The clause was rejected by 87 to 27. The Premier moved a new clause, providing that it shall not be lawful for any scrutineer, clerk, or returning officer to ran ka known the names of persons who have voted at any time before the close of the poll. Lost by 34 to 28. A motion by Mr Flatmau, to give musterers at shearing time the same electoral privileges as shearers was carried by 40 to 16. Sir R. Stout moved to extend electoral rights to co operative laborers employed on Government works. The Premier hoped Sir R, Stout would not press bis amendment, pointing out that the great bulk of co operative laborers were settlers. The clause was read a second time by 30 to 26. Mr Seddon said the object of the amendment was to kill the Bill in another place, iv consequeuce of the alteration in the law as regarded the property qualification. Eventually the clause was added to the Bill by 30 to 29. Mr Allen moved that electoral rights be extended to women, whereupon Mr Seddon moved to report progress with leave to sit again. He deplored the waste of time over the Bill, and said it was being emasculated with a view to its rejection by the Council. TLe motion for reporting progress was carried by 34 to 27. The Mining Act Amendment Bill was considered in committee, but after a lengthy discussion the principal clauses which were strongly opposed, were held over with a view to a compromise being ai*aanged. Tho remaining clauses passed without material|amcndment. Progress was reported and the House rose. ____^______