THE ELECTORAL BILL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 208, 2 September 1893, Page 2

THE ELECTORAL BILL.

WOMANHOOD SUFFRAGE.

THE LADIES' CHAMPIONS AGAIN

VICTORIOUS,

THE OPPOSITION DISORGANISED,

(BY TItr.EGRAPH. —PARLIAMENTARY

REI'OP.TES.)

WbliUlTotok, this day. Thk Electoral Bill made an oaey nnd rapid run iv the Council yesterdny, in spite of many amendments, eight of which had to bo decided by divisions. Clause 61 was reached and passod before five o'clock. Tho invariable defeab thnb opponents of tho rnoasuro met with in their attempt to obstruct, did nob improve the tempers of those gentlemen. At one parb of the afternoon they gave vent to their foelings, alleging that the Government pnrr,y in the Council wore unfairly blocking any amendment, even tho slightest, so thafc nothing wight occur to imperil the safety of tho Bill. These expressions of opinion gave rise to a somewhat heated discussion, which was brought to a climax by tho Hon. Reynolds moving to report progress. Thi3 invention of the enemy to kill tho measure was too weak to have any effect;, but it showed nnmisbakeably to what shifts tho enemy was reduced.

In reply to the attack of the Hon. Reynolds, tho Attorney-General sfood up for tho Government. He denied that he made any compacb as to not amending the Bill. The face was simply that the supporters of tho measure were in a majority in the Council.

Whether convinced or not, Mr Reynolds withdrew his amendment, and the Opposition were so discouraged that they allowed tho next fivo clauses to go through withoub demurring to a word.

Tlio somewhat unusual occurrence of the Chairman being called to order and being obligod to retracb an objectionable remark was witnessed. When Committee waa considering thab parb of clause II which flbatefl thotform of claim and declaration of persons entitled to be registered, the Hon. McLean moved as an amendment that tho words " unless his name is already on tho roll," be Btruck out. Ho intimated thab he moved bis amendment for the purpose of finding oub whether the Council would go the length of oinvmun-one-roll.

Tho Chairman said thab the amendment wa3 qnite in order, and that the Council could stultify itself if ib wished to do so*

Tho Hon. McLean iostanbly objected to such a remark, and tho Chairman saw fib to withdraw it at once.

The amendment was subsequently lost on division by 22 to 11.

One thing noticeable throughout the whole debate, both afternoon and evening, was the silenb tactics adoptod by supportera of the measure. In no way did they provoke hostility. They hardly spoke a word, indeed, but expressed their opinion by simply "aye" or "nay." In clause 61, " seamen and commercial travellers to make declaration and claim for an elector's righb," Mr Riggs moved to strike out the words "commercial traveller." Lost by 21 to 15.

The proposition to include shearera and harvesters in the privilege, was losb by 18 to 16.

At five p.m. tho Council adjourned till half-past seven. When Council resumed at 7.30 the Electoral Bill was further considered in Committee.

Mr W, C. Walker, as a further amendmenb on Clause 61, moved to include bush fellers aa being qualified to exorcise electoral rights.

Mr McLean thought ib would be better to let tho Bill go by the board until the amendment of which he had givon notice with rofpronoe to women's franchise should be called on ou Tuesday next. He intended to oppose tbo Bill up to tbo last po^stbio stage, and would do all in bis power to frustrate its passage, evon if his opposition went so far as to delay the Bill retoivinf.' Her Majesty's assent.

Progress was then reported on the Elec toial Bill.