GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Temuka Leader, Issue 2404, 27 September 1892, Page 4

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Friday. It was reported that a compromise had been effected with the House of Representatives on the amendments in the Bankruptcy Bill and the Workmen's Lien Bill.—The reports were adopted. ELECTORAL BILL. The Electoral Bill was further considered in commitree.

The new clause, providing machinery for the exercise of the franchise by women, by allowing them to make n declaration and claim for an elector's right, provoked some discussion. —Mr Walker moved that the clause be struck out. The Bill had been so twisted about by the committee that he thought the Colonial Secretary now entertained very little love for it.—Sir Patrick Buckley intimated that he could not accept the new clause. —On a division the clause was agreed t<> by 13 to 8. The following is the division list :—For the clause: Stewart, Reynolds, Stevens,Whyte, Grace, Ormond, Pollen, Williams, Pharazyn, Wahawaha, Oliver, Johnston, and Holmes. Against : Walker, Swanson, Dignan, Mantell, Whitmore, Taiaroa, Morris, and Buckley. Clause 68, providing for the issue of women's electoral rights, and clause 69, compelling women to produce their right when voting, were agreed to without a division. Mr Oliver moved a new clause, dividing amalgamated City Electorates of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, each into three electoral districts. The clause wat agreed to by 12 to 7. The following is the division list: —Aye 3 : Stewart, Reynolds, Pharazyn, Wahawaha, Ormond, Holmes, Willirms, Swanson, Stevens, Oliver, Pollen, Mantell. Noes : Walker, Barnicoat, Johnston, Buckley, Whitmore. Dignan, and Grace. The Bill as amended was reported, and wis immediately recommitted. Interpretation Clause.—On the motion of Mr Taiaroa it was decided that the word " Maori" shall mean " man or woman," the effect being to give Maori women votes.

Sir George Whitmore moved—" That the word "person" does not include " women." The amendment was lost by 13 to 6. The following is the division list:—For the amendment : Walker, Swanson, Pollen, Whitmore, Morris, Mantell. Against : Stewart, Pharazyn, Wahawaha, Dignan, Oliver, Johnston, Buckley, Reynolds, Stevens, Taiaroa, Whyte, Ormond, Holmes. Pairs —For amendment : Williams ; against: MacLean.

The Bill was then reported, and the third reading made an order of the day for Tuesday.

SECOND READINGS. Tho Local Bodies Loanß Act Amendment Bill was read a second time.

At 5.30 p.m. the Council adjourned until 7.30, and on resuming The Laud for Settlement Bill, Oamaru Harbor Board Advance Repayment Bill, Otago School Commissioners Empowering Bill, and Auckland Harbor Board Empowering Bill were read a third time. At 8.35 p.m. tho Council adjourued till Tuesday.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Friday. ELECTIVE LAND BOARDS. The Waste Lands Committee reported that they had no recommendation to make on the Land Boards Election Bill. Mr McKenzie said that as it was very unlikely that at this stage of tho session the Bill would be able to get through, he should move that the Bill be discharged from the Order Paper.—The motion was agreed to. RErLIES EO QUESTIONS. Replying to questions, it was stated that an extension of time, far twelve months for old soldiers' claims would not be advisable, as tho Government wished to have some finality in the matter ; that the Government would be willing to afford assistance to teaching the blind in the national schools in Otago, but tho report of the inspector had taken the Minister of Education by surprise ; that the Government were not sure whether the public business would allow of the Libel Bill being proceeded with this session ; that the Government hoped to secure a better method for the cool conveyance of dairy produce to ports of export than is at present used, but that the matter was really one for the Railway Commissioners; that the Government would afford every facility for proceeding with the Friendly Societies Bill, and if no other opportunity offered the Govei-uraent would take up the Bill.

THE UNEMPLOYED. A long debate on the " unemployed " qnestion was interrupted by the 5.30 p.m. adjournment. Tile House resumed at 7.30 p.m. SECOND READINGS. The Taiaroa Land Bill and Customs Consolidation Act Amendmendment Bill were read a secoiid time. The debate on the second reading of the Servants Registry Office Bill wag resumed.—A hostile amendment by Mr T. McKenzie was rejected ou the voices, und the second reading was carried by 42 ro Id, Mr Rolleston, Sir George Grey, and many of the Opposition voting for it. The Naval »»<* Military Settlers and Volunteers Land tontß Bill was read a second time. INTEBCEI'TIXO SUPPLY. On the motion that the House go into Committee of Supply Mr Guinness moved an amendment that the Government !.<hould place a sufficient sum on the Estimates for the assisted passages of separated families now resident iu England. The Premier hoped that the House would not agree to the amendment as it would open up the whole question of assisted emigration. Tho amendment was lost by 35 to 13. Mr Dlithio called attention to the fact that there were large increases in the annual expenditure, notwithstanding that a great many officers had been dismissed. COMMITTER OF SUPPLY. The House then went hit Committe* of Supply. The remaining items in the Education vote were agreed to, and the vote_ of £431,055 was passed without alteration. Mines Department, £13,230. Passed unaltered. Customs and Marine Departments, ■€09,427. The only reduction made was i:i the item, "hire for dredge for New Plymouth harbour, £3000," which was was reduced by £1 as an indication to the Government that no further expenditure should be incurred in that direction. The total vote, minus £l, was agreed to. Working Eailways Department, £1,140,000, passed unaltered. The House rose at 4.30 a.m.