THE VICTORIAN REFORM BILL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 94, 21 April 1881, Page 4

THE VICTORIAN REFORM BILL.

POLITICAL OONEERENCE,

Melbourne, April 14. r The Conference Committees sat from 2 until 6 yesterday,|[|debating the question of the franchise, without arriving at any conclusion. Sladen mentioned that the proposal submitted by Mr. Cuthbert, at the previous sitting, w>s in do way endorsed by the Council's representatives as a whole. Business was commenced by Sir C. Sladen pressing for a statement whether the Assembly admitted the principle that there should be one rating qualification for the owner of freehold property and one for the occupier. Two hours were spent in discussing this point. Mr. Yale was understood to show that the occupier was a more responsible and trustworthy citizen than the owner, but the. Council members adhered to the view, that the man who invested his sayings in real estate had given a sure guarantee of his intention to permanently reside in the colony, while the occupier had not. Ultimately, Mr. Berry suggested that all freeholders and ratepayers should have the franchise. The committees conferred apart for half an hour. Sir C. Sladen then intimated that the Council's representatives were unanimous in offering a ;£IO ratepaying qualification for ownerp, and a £25 qualification for occupiers, the existing arrangements with regard to plural voting to be maintained. Mr. Berry offered to accept the £10 rating franchise for owners and and occupiers alike. Both expressed surprise at the ultimatum of tie other, and the Assembly representatives urged that the Service Bill proposed a £10 and £20 qualification, and that the country rejected even that proposal. The Council committee replied that Mr. Service's Bill did not bind the "Upper House ; that in descending from a £50 franchise, the Council wes making an enormous concession. Sir Charles Sladen declared that it was monstrous to expect the Council to descend from a £50 franchise to a £10 at a jump. It was agreed that if no arrangement can be arrived at with regard to the franchise, the conference must be abandoned, and a meeting was announced to take place at 2 o'clock this afternoon, to give the committee a final opportunity of coming to terms. The difference between the Council and the Ministry was very anuch narrowed, down by yesterday's proceedings. The Council has at preßent 32 000 voters. The new franchise proposed by the Council will give 108,000, extending the franchise to 76,000 new men. The final proposition tffoeAwomblj would extend the

franchise to 142,000 electors, 'giving the franchise to 110,000 new) men. There is c difference of 84,000, "voters involved in the two propositions/ Both Houses have agreed to a £10 r rating qualification for owners ; the difference is that the Council requires £25 rating for occupiers, and the Assembly wants £10 rating qualification. Though little would now seem to separate the two Houses, yet the conference broke up as if nothing was to come of its labors.