HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 23 June 1891, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

FRIDAY, JUNE 19.

The Hon the Speakei, took the chair at 2.80 p.m. 5 The Minister of Education, said he was of opinion that the charging of quarter money to scholars attending primary schools was beyond the spirit of the Education Act. As to stopping it, the parents or scholars should try to put a stop to it ; if not the x Government could make their voice heard in the matter.' The Minister for Public Works, said the Manawatu Railway Company some years ago offered to sell the Government their railway and nothing further had been heard of the matter since then. Further new Bills were read a first time. On the motion thai Mr Peroeval take the chair while the House went into Committee on ihe Inebriates' Home Bill. i The Hon Mr Bryce said the Opposition were very much distressed at the fact that the Government had been unable to come to any decision in reference to the chairman of com* raitfcees. (Laughter). During >• the last session a gentleman had been proposed for that position, of whom nothing had jinee bqen beard, but, if they now electe^haii "# '-whifoflearad boy " the Opposition wo^d pat; 'him on the back as heartity as thie Government would. (Laughter.) employers' liability bill. : The Minister of Education motred the second reading of the Employers' Liability Act Amendment Bill. ;In doing so he reminded the House that this was one of the Labour Bills introduced last session. The Amendments then made had been added to the Bill. He knew of no valid reason why the Bill should not pass without opposition. The intention of the former Act was to give employes an opportunity to recover damages against employers for injuries received in their service, but this amendment had been made that seamen should also have the same privilege, which formerly, they were denied. It also sought to give power to divide any sum recovered among the family of the injured person. As it was intended tosend the Bill to a Select Committee, Mr Bryce said the debate had better be taken in Committee. The Bill was read a second time and referred to a Select Committee. ••. > The second reading of the Truck Bill was treated the same way. The Factories Bill was likewise dealt with in the same manner. • ELECTORAL BILL. The House went into committee on the Electoral Bill. Sir John Hall moved to insert a provisional interpretation clause providing for female franchise, and said he saw no reason why woman should be incapable of exercising a vote,. . It was not an untried experiment; because for some time Women had had the right to vote at local elections, and no one had heavd of any abuse by them of that privilege. At the last general election the majority of electors had expressed themselves in its favour, and he hoped New Zealand would do itself the credit of being the first Colony to give their assent to such a Bill. The debate was interrupted .by the 5.80 adjournment.