OUR LEGISLATORS.

Wairoa Bell, Volume V, Issue 164, 23 September 1892, Page 5

OUR LEGISLATORS.

It is reported that the Council will pass the women’s suffrage clauses of the Electoral Bill, but only on condition that provisions are added for the issue of electors’ rights, by which women can lodge their voting papers with the nearest postman at any time between nomination and closing of poll. This will do away with the objection that women going to polling booths will be subject to insult, and, in country districts, it will avoid the necessity of their making long journeys to record votes. It is also definitely understood that the Council will restore the single electorate in cities, and with these two alterations secure, they will not make any objection to the one-man-one-roll clause. It is reported that the Government will drop the Electoral Bill if the Council insists upon provisions enabling female voters to record votes by post. Probably the Council will not insist strongly upon this amendment. The Minister of Education, in course of his address ou the Conciliation Bill, dovoted some remarks of a non-conciliatory character to the member for Manukau. He said it was not necessary for him to caricature Mr Buckland, as that gentleman’s manner, appearance, and style of speaking formed in themselves a complete caricature. It was frequently said that Dickens exaggerated his portraiture of character, hut anyone who witnessed Mr Buckland’s oratorical efforts, his wild statements and swinging of his arms, must agree that there was before them a living picture of Sergeant Buzfuz This sally provoked much merriment. Mr Jackson Palmer asked the Government to remove the duty off volunteer uniforms and said they cost 100 per cent more made in the Colony The Hon. Mr Seddon replied that on enquiry the Government found that there was very little difference in the prices and so did not intend to make any reduction in the duty. Mr James Kelly, as having special knowledge of this subject, said extra cost was not anything like one hundred per cent, as stated by Mr Palmer. The rank and file of volunteers were well content to pay the additional price. It was only a few starched officers who thought nothing made in the colony was good enough for them to wear. After remarks from Mr R. Thompson and Mr Hogg the subject dropped. The lawyers of the House, notably Messrs Guinness, Buckland and Palmer, made a big fight on behalf of their craft. They denounced, as insulting to the profession, the provision that lawyers should not be allowed to appear as advocates at Courts of Conciliation and Arbitration, hut, though numerous divisions were taken, the majority of the House declared distinctly against legal gentlemen being employed in labour disputes. Mr Houston asks the Minister for Public Works to place a sum on the supplementary esiimates to repair the Court-house, lock-up, and Police Station atKawakawa. The Band and Income Tux Amendment Bill elicited a brief discussion in the House, chieflv remarkable for Sir George Grey’s stand ou behalf of exempting all improvements. He argued that the £37,000 revenue that would be lost was a small matter compared with the great question of principle involved. In reply, Mr Ballatupe

said the Government intended to remit taxation on all improvements as soon as possible, hut they could uot do so now, as accepting Sir G. Grey’* amendment would derange the finance. The second reading was carried on the voice*. The Payment of Members Bill, identical with last year’s Bill, will be introduced by the Premier today. Considerable discussion took place on th* Public Revenues Bill, John Hall, Dr. Newman, Messrs Eish, Fisher, Richardson and Duthie «*pposing the Bill and alleging it was a pretext for borrowing £450,000 Mr J. Mills defended the Bill. A stonewall being threatened, Mr Balance declared that the credit of the colony was involved and the Government would carry th* measure though twentystoue walls were set up. Divisions were taken on the motion that the Bill be read a second time six months hence, and on the motion for second readiug, but the Government had substantial majorities. The Shop Hours and Shop Assistants’ Bill is meeting with determined oppositiou in the Council, and if not killed will emerge in a vary different shape. The Session is drawing to a close and the Slaughter of the Innocents will soon begin. It is considered that about three weeks will sea the end.