WOMENHOOD SUFFRAGE

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 210, 5 September 1893, Page 2

WOMENHOOD SUFFRAGE

ATTITUDE OF THE LEGISLATIVE

COUNCIL

(by telegraph—parliamentary reporter.)

Wellington, this day. The Council is to resume consideration of the Electoral Bill in Committee to-day, and ibis expected thai) by Wednesday the Bill will bo passed. No doubt is now felt that there will be a distinct majority against the inclusion ot the provision conferring electoral rights of women, and a final stand againsb the women's franchise will be made on the motion for the third reading of the Bill. A motion will probably be made that the Bill be read a third time six months honco, and the division is expected to be very close, as certain supporters of the measure are understood to be disgusted because of the Government's resolve to accept no amendments whatever, and they may vote to kill the Bill on that account. Another adverse fact is found in the illnesa of the Hon. Holmes, who is in favour of the women's franchise, and for whom ib is difficult to find a pair. The Hon. Captain Baillie's vote will, however, bo available in favour of the Bill, and the Hon. Mr Riggs' support ia also assured, bub tSfc attitude of tho Hons. Reynolds and Stevens on the third reading is doubtful. The " Post " still declares that the Government is insincere and will find a pretext for preventing; the measure paesing into law, bub I incline to the opinion that the battle is practically won and that even the Hon. McLean's threat of formal protest and reference to the Queen will nob delay realisation of this great franchise reform.