ASSENTED TO BY THE GOVERNOR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 223, 20 September 1893, Page 5

ASSENTED TO BY THE GOVERNOR.

ENTHUSIASM IN PARLIAMENT. DEBATE ON THE ENROLMENT OF WOMEN. (BY TELEGRAPH.— PARLIAMENTARY REPORTER, )

Wellington, this day. When preliminary business bad been disposed of at the afternoon sitting of the Bouso, the Premier roae and said he bad to announce that the Electoral Bill had received the Governor^ signature and assent. 'I'his announcement was received by the House with loud and prolonged applause, bub it> waa noticeable that the ladies' gallery was completely empty when this statement of the consummation of woman's enfranchisement waa made. This conspicuous absence was doubtless due to the fact that a fashionablo wedding was being celebrated in St. Mary s Cathedral, on the opposite side of the street, and about a thousand ladies were present assisting at a function of far greater importance in fominine eyes than n great CONSTIT UTIONA L RE V 0 L.UTION. The Premier wont on to say that the Government had printed a supply of forma of claim for enrolment, and these were now obtainablo in all parts of the colony from Postmasters and Registrars of Eloctors. A vote would be placed on the Supplementary Estimates to provide for payment of extra assistance that would be required by Registrars. The Government might also have to tuke a somewhat unusual course in order to make certain that women &liould be enrolled. In consideration of tbc shorb time available for the REGISTRATION OF NEW VOTERS, he thought they would bo justified in asking police and other Government officers to distribute claims, get them signed, attested, and aerit to Registrars. (Cries of "No.") He held it was the duty of the Government to see that the women of the colony who had just been enfranchised should have the opportunity given them of exercising the privilege conferred upon thorn. (Hear, hear). The Government would bo glad to receive from members particulars of electorates where EXTRA POLLING PLACES would be requirad, as these would be of material assistance in enabling the Government to make all necessary arrangements for the elections. (Hear, hear.) Sir John Hall expressed gratification at the announcement made by the Premier, and hoped that -no matter what their previous opinions had been, every member would now render every assistance to the j Government in ita endeavours to give women facilities for exorcising their votes. (Hear, hear.) Mr Fish oaid he wished to make a remark upon tho Premier's statement, but was adverso to moving the adjournment of tho House. He concurred in every facility being given for the enrolmeut of womon, but officers who might be asked to band round claims and attest signatures must be men who would use the power properly, and not in manufacturing bogus votes. He made no insinuation against policemen, but he thought they should not be employed in this work. "DATE OF THE ELECTIONS. Mr Scobie MacKenzie pointed out that the Government had it in its power to give ample time for women to be enrolled by delaying the date of the elections. Dr. Newman also wished to speak, bub && the Speaker ruled ho must put himself in order, he moved the adjournment of tho House. He urged that if the elections wore fixed for a few days before Christmas, women would have ample time to enrol I themselves, and there would be no necessity for police assistance. Mr Earnshaw, who seconded the motion, hoped the police would not, at any rate, be employed in the iour large cities.

Mr Buchanan joined in a protest against the employmoub of tho police, while Colonel Fraser declared such a proposal to be "simply monstrous,'' and Mr Bruce denounced it as " humbug," for, if it was true that women desired tho franchise, they would get enrolled without police assistance. The Hon. McKenzie said the effect of tho proposed assistance would be simply to place poor electors on the same footing as rich ones, ELECTORAL EIGHTS AGAIN. Mr Fish pointed oub that if the Government would include electoral rights to women in the amending Bill that was introduced by the Premier, it would solve every difficulty, (Cricsof " No,") MrThos. McKonzio was also in favour of electoral rights for women, as otherwise the Bill would have tha effect of giving a great advantago to wealthy candidates, who would alone bo able to bear the expense of bringing women to the polls. POLICE INTERFERENCE. Mr Willis trusted policemen would not be allowed to interferes with women, and thero was loud laughter at the naive way in which he declared that such would be a most " improper " proceeding. Sevoral other members having spoken against police assistance, Mr Buckland said it would be well if every policeman had a good supply of forms of claim for enrolment to give ,to those who mighb apply for them, He considered tha principal thing was to see that there were a sufficient nuinbor of polling booths. The formal motion for adjournment was then pub and negatived, and the subject was dropped.