A FINAL FLING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 224, 21 September 1893, Page 2

A FINAL FLING.

(BY TELEGRAPH.—PARLIAMENTARY REPORTER. I

Wellington, thia day. Mr Fish, who has boen tho moat determined opponent of womanhood suffrage, took occasion yesterday afternoon to move the adjournment of the Houso in order to express his " disgust" at the action of the Government and the Council in passing the Electoral Hill into law. He had hoard that the Opposition had agreed to allow the Railway Bill to pass, trusting to the other Chamber te throw it out. He protested against memberß asking other people to do their dirty work, and he was not prepared, after the manner in which the Council had acted inconnection with the Electoral Bill, to trustany measure to the tendor merciesof that Chamber. The Bill conferring the woman's franchise had been carried, nob because a majority of the Councillors believed in the principle, bub for varied motives, such as a desire to prove that the Government waß insincere in tho matter. Mr Fish went on in an excited style to accuse the Government of political treachery, trickery, and tergiversation righb through on the question of woman's suffrage. It had been prophesied that women's votes would bo given against) him, but) he claimed ho was tho more entitled to woman's support as an open opponent than were those who hud boon all along insincere on the subject. Ho concluded with a fiery tirade against) what) he called "the terrible political depravity of tho Govornmenb " with reference to tho enfranchisement of women.

'"FRANCHISE" OR "FRANCHEESE." During his impasaionod coudeniuaaon of the Governraonb for passing bho Electoral Bill into law, Mr Fish gob rather mixed in his pronunciation, which is no uncommon thing for spoakera to do when excited. He r'efenrrifl to the woman's franchise, pronouncing tho latter word with a strong accent on bho last syllable. Then, as though doubtful of the correctness of bins, ho gave oub the word "Francheose," which caused a general laugh. Taking no notice of this, Mr Fiiih wont on with his harangue, but whon he again men Dinned tho woman's "franchenso" there waa a roar of laughtor, and criea of " Cheese it." He theroupon advised members to consult a pronouncing dictionary before laughing at his accent. Proceeding with Ilia remarks, li 9 once more had occaason to mention tho women's franchise, when he reverted to his original pronounuiabion. A general gullaw served to remind him of hi 3 slip, bub, instead of taking it in good parb, Mr Fiah indignantly rebuked members for being rudo, and said they till dhov,-od thsrasolve9 utterly unlit for theiv poaibions. To avoiil similar exhibitions, electors would do well to consult a pronouncing dictionary, and tind out whether tho word should bo sounded "Franchyse" or " Frar.cheeao " ENROLMENT OF WOMEN VOTERS, ; Tho women of Wellington have token 1 prompt stwps to get enrolled. Within 24 hours from the Electoral Bill becoming law, about 100 ot' them bad sont in claims to be registered on the ciby roll. This promptitude is partly due \,o the action of tho "Evening Post," which lasb nighb diatributod registration forma with every copy delivered to its readers. Replying to Sir John Hal! at the afternoon eit/ting of tho House, the Hon. Mr Co dm an stated thub 128,000 enro'tnonb forms had boon potit out by tho Government. Lsrgo numbers had boon sent to RegisfcrniH o! Electors all uvor tho colony, with instructions to have them dibkibutod to all post offices in their districts. Mr Roilciiton Biijjgoeted that iiio Postal Department might distribute forms to all postmasters, instead of trusting to Registrar.-! !.o do ao. Mr Caiman pcid ho would see that all poswnastyM in the colony, should lmvp a supply of forma, so tlmb oleotoui mi^ht obtain thorn. Ho would alro bo glad to givo supplies to raomborß of tho House who muriit ilttsiro them. The Pof-trmiaCer-General says instructions hava bean jztven that ali claims for enrolment should bo carried free by post.