LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XII, Issue 2458, 11 September 1891, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

I PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] I ■ r Wellington. September 10. TII9 Council met at 2.30 p.m. workmen's lien bill. The Labor Bills Committee reported that the Workmen's Lien Bill was an impracticable measure, and one calculated to stop contract work, but they recommended that it be allowed to proceed with certain amendments. FEMALE SUFFRAGE BILL. Mr Wilson resumed the debate on the Female Suffrage Bill, which he supported. He thought that women should sit on the benches in Parliament, and also be inspectors of factories. He was convinced that if they sat on the bench the licensing Act would be carried out in its integrity. Mr Buckley opposed the Bill, as calculated to degrade women. If the Bill passed he would favor the return of women to both Houses of Parliament. Mr Walker, Mr Barnicoat, Dr Grace, and Mr McLean opposed the Bill. The motion for the second reading was lost by 17 to 15. Dentists act amendment bill. The Dentists Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. POST OFFICE ACT AMENDMENT BILL. Mr Buckley moved the second reading of the Post Office Act Amendment Bill. Mr Whyte proposed as ah amendment that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. The debate was adjourned till the following day. The Council rose at 5 p.m. The Council resumed at 7.30 p.m. ELECTORAL BILL. The Electoral Bill was taken in Committee. A new clause was inserted, on the motion of Dr Grace, providing for both freehold and leasehold qualifications. Clause 6 was amended in the direction of making the residential qualification six months'residence in the district instead of one month, and the proviso in the same clause setting out that no person shall be registered in more than one district was struck out by J8 to 5. The Colonial Secretary said that the amendment just carried practically struck at the principle of "one man-one-vote," and he therefore moved that progress be reported. The motion was agreed to 0:1 the casting vote of the Chairman. GOVERNMENT LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES BILLS Thb Government Loans to Local Bodies Bill passed through Committee without amendment. On the motion for the second reading of the Law Practitioners' Bill, Mr Stewart moved as an amendment that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. The amendment was carried by 19 to 8. The Council rose at 9.30 p.m.