GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2403, 24 September 1892, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2,30 p.m. on Wednesday. The Electoral Bill was re-committed after a short debate. Mr Stevens moved that the interpretation clause be postponed until the Council had decided on the machinery proposals. Sir P. Buckley said that he was going to carry the Bill through as it came to the Council, and in no other way, and he could not accept any of the amendments made by the Statutes Revision Committee.

The clause was postponed by 16 to 7. Mr Oliver moved an amendment to the clause with the object of prohibiting the inmates of charitable institutions from voting. The Colonial Secretary designated the amendment as being heartless. It was almost inhuman to disqualify unfortunate people on account of their poverty. The amendment was agreed to by 18 to 8. Mr Walker moved that the inmates of old people’s homes should be allowed to vote.—This was negatived on the voices.

Mr Swanson moved that the word “ person ” instead of “ man ” be inserted in clause 9, the effect if agreed to being that women as well as well as men should be qualified to sit in the House of Representatives. The amendment was lost on the voices.

In clause 13 referring to the residential qualification, the Statute Revision Committee’s amendment to make it necessary for a person to reside in a district for three months instead of one month before his name can be inserted on the electoral roll, was agreed to by 14 to 9. Progress was reported on clause 59 being reached. The Council rose at 4.45 p.m. The Council met at 2.20 p.m. on Thursday. ELECTORAL BILL. The Electoral Bill was further considered in committee. Clause G 2 Shearers and commercial travellers to enjoy special facilities in recording their votes. Mr McLean moved an amendment, including “ harvesters,” —This was agreed to by 16 to 7. Captain Morris enquired whether the Colonial Secretary would accept further amendments in the same direction. He thought that any person absent from his home on the day of election should enjoy facilities for recording his vote.—The Colonial Secretary admitted that originally he was in charge of the Bill, but he coufessed that the Committee had taken the measure out of his hands.

Clause 65—Providing a penalty of one month’s imprisonment in case of the master of a vessel refusing permission’to the crew to vote.—An alternative for imprisonment the option of a fine not exceeding £SO was agreed to. The clause was further amended by making the term of imprisonment not to exceed one month.

Clause 102—Mr Oliver moved that it be struck out. The clause affirmed the principle of “ one-raan-oue-vote ” in the four large • cities by splitting up the amalgamated constituencies into single electorates.—The amendment was struck out by 11 to 7. The Council adjourned at 5 p.m. till 7.30 p.m. The Council resumed at 7.30 p.m.

In committee on the Electoral Bill, clause 150, defining the Maori electorates, was slightly amended, giving power to the Governor to alter and redefine Maori electoral districts as occasion may require.

Clause 153, which provided for the free use of public schools for election meetings, was altered in the direction of making only primrry schools available for election meetings. The Committee then returned to the postponed clauses. Some discussion ensued on the interpretation clause, which was agreed to, no objection being offered to the word “ person ” including woman.”

On the clause referring to Maori voting, Mr Taiaroa thought that Maori women should possess the same privilege with regard to the exercise of the franchise as European or half-caste women, and he moved to that effect.

It was pointed out that the principle as to whether a woman should or should not enjoy the privilege of exercising the franchise was admitted on the previous day. Sir George Whitmore said that a surprise had been sprung upon the Council. He for one up to the present moment had not been aware that the

clause giving women the franchise had been agreed to yesterday. He moved that progress be reported, with leave to •it again, in order that members who were opposed to the innovation might have an opportunity to consider the position. The amendment was lost.

On clause 67 (a new clause), relating to the manner in which women may vote, Sir George Whitmore again protested against women exercising the franchise. The Colonial Secretary objected to new clauses, and was prepared to contest them line by line. He objected to hon. members being misled, and therefore, perhaps, it would be better if the clausa were postponed. Sir George Whitmore said that it was such an outrage on the country that women’s franchise should be granted that he would fight the matter line by lino if he had to stay three months. On reaching clause 147, Maori qualification, it was agreed to report progress. The Council rose at 9.16 p.m.

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday. NEW BILL. The Payment of Members Bill was introduced by the Premier. MONDAY SITTINGS. It was agreed that for the remainder of the session the House should meet on Mondays at 2.30 p.m. for Government business only. SECOND READINGS, The Friendly Societies Act Amendment Bill, the object of which is to enable friendly societies to be registered, was read a seaml time. The Manure Adulteration Bill, for the better prevention of frauds in the sale of manure for agricultural purposes, was read a second time.

Mr McKenzie moved the second reading of the Selectors’ Laud Revaluation Continuance and Amendment Bill, He explained that under the measure agricultural lessees or holders of perpetual lease or deferred payment licenses might apply for relief, and that selectors might before January, 1894, apply for further relief on making a deposit and the payment of expenses. The Bill was not of great importance to a large number of people, but it was of considerable importance to a small section of the public. He hoped that it would become law this session and put an end to this everlasting business. Mr Rolleston thought that the Bill was too much of a political character to be of great use. He could not help saying that it was also an ugly excrescence on land legislation, and that it would not give the relief asked for by the settlers. After a considerable debate the second reading was agreed to on the voices. The Westland Church, Hospital, and Vesting Bill was read a second time. THE LAND FOB SETTLEMENT BILL. The Land for Settlement Bill was passed through its final stages. THROUGH COMMITTEE. The Oamaru Harbor Board Advance Repayment Bill passed through Committee without amendment. The House adjourned at 6.30 p.m., and resumed at 7.30. The Native Land Purchase Bill was passed through committee without material amendment. The Otago School Commissioners Empowering Bill and New Zealand Company’s Land Claimants Bill were considered in committee and passed through without amendment. The House went into committee on the Hairy Industry Bill. Clause 4—Powers of entry to inspector. —The clause passed without alteration. Clause 6—Dairy in certain cases deemed factory for the purposes of export,— Altered so as to provide that if a dairy is not kept or the produce thereof not manufactured to the satisfaction of the inspector he shall have power to suspend the owner’s certificate for three months, and on a second offence to cancel the certificate. In clause 14 the words “ owner of cow or cokvs to have milk tested” was struck out. The Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill was passed through committee with verbal amendments. The Local Bodies Loans Act Amendment Bill was passed through committee with verbal amendments. BILLS PASSED. The Oamaru Harbor Board Advance Repayment, Otago School Commissioners Empowering Bill, New Zealand Land Company’s Laud Claimants Bill, and the Local Bodies Loan Act Amendment Bill were reported, read a third time, and and jiassed. BILLS ADVANCED. Other measures, considered in Committee, were reported, their final reading being fixed for the same day. The House rose at 2.5 a.m., and again met at 2.30 p.m. BILLS PASSED. The Westland and Nelson Coalfields Administration Act Amendment Bill was further considered in Committee, read a third time, and passed. SECOND READINGS. The Fisheries Conservation Act, 1884, Amendment Bill, the Gisborne Harbor Act, 1884, Amendment Bill, the Cook and Waipu Counties Property Adjustment Bill, Wanganui River Trust Act Amendment Bill, Woodville Hospital District Bill, and Wanganui Drillshed Bill were read a second time. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m., and resumed at 7.30. BILLS PASSED. The Native Land Purchase Bill and the Dairy Industry Bill passed their final stages after considerable debate. The Mining Companies Act Amendment Bill, Government Loans to Locol Bodies Act Amendment Bill, the Water Supply Act Amendment Bill, and the Factories Act Amendment Bill were passed through Committee without material amendment, and were read a third time and passed. MINING BILL. The House went into Committee on the Mining Act Amendment Bill, but progress was immediately reported. SECOND READINGS. The Westland, Grey, Inangahua, and Buffer Counties Vehicle Licensing Bill was read a second time. The House rose at 12.50 a.m. Suspension. Const&ble McGill, who escorted Carl Moeller fiom Sydney, has been suspended, pending the decision of the Defence Minister in the matter.

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