GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8582, 8 September 1893, Page 5

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

In the Legislative Council at its after* nooa sitting Mr McLean's proposed new clause in the Electoral Bill, to confer oo women the privilege of voting by " Electoral Bight," was considered, and after a debate, lasting the whole of the sitting, was rejected on a division by 20 to 19. In the evening a clerical error was corrected in one of the schedules to the Bill. It was reported, and the third reading fixed for next day. The Liquor Bill was then committed, and on clause 6 Mr McLean carried an amendment the effect of which would be to make Resident Magistrates Chairmen of Committees, The Colonial Secretary then reported progress, to "consider the position. ,. Some unimportant measures were advanced a stage, and the Council rose ac 9.30 p.m. At the afternoon session of the House Mr Shera gave notice of motion calling for a Committee " to enquire into the Native land transactions in Hawke's Bay between Messrs Cadman and Smith." The Palmereton North Hospital and Charitable Aid Empowering Bill, and the Harbours Act, 1878, Amendment Bill, were passed, and the Ocean Beach Public Domain Act, 1892, Amendment Bill was under discussion at the 5.30 adjournment. At the evening sitting the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Fencing Act were referred to a Conference of both Chambers. The Shops and Shop Assistants Bill occupied the rest of the sitting. Numerous amendments to the interpretation clause were proposed without-avail, and it was still under dieoussion when the Telegraph Office closed at 2 a.m. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (press association mlwjram.) Thprsdat, September 7* The Council met at 2.30 p.m. ELECTORAL BILL. The Electoral Bill was further considered in Committee. Mr McLEAN proposed a new clause giving women power to vote only l on electors' rights. The hon. gentleman said he did not intend to speak on the clause as he preferred to hear the opinions of other members oh his proposed clause. Mr STEWART expressed the opinion that the amendment if carried meant the sacrifice of the. Bill. Mr REYNOLDS supported the clause as proposed, and said he intended to vote for the amendment, notwithstanding the motives he had expressed for objecting to granting the franchise to women. Dr. POLLEN opposed the amendment, and said that not the least objection to the proposed measure was that as the general elections were., so close ac hand it would be as well to remit the matter to the people. Mr SHRIMSKI supported the amendment as also did Sir G. Whitmore. The latter said he did not think women, especially in the country, desired the privilege. Mr W. C. WALKER complained that the Nestor of the Chamber had endeavoured to lecture the Council because he had expressed his intention of opposing Mr McLean's amendment. Mr McCULLOUGH also opposed the clause as being unnecessary. There were no obstacles to women openly voting, and "fie was convinced that no women would ever be insulted when going to record their votes at the open poll. • Mr ORMOND said that last year when he voted against women's franchise he did not apprehend the country was in favour of the principle; this year it was different, and he would oppose the new clause. Mr STEVENS said he was ttre author of the proposal for giving women electoral rights last year, and he saw no great reason to alter his decision, although he admitted that the privilege might in some instances be misused. . Mr RICHARDSON said he had opposed the female franchise elsewhere, and his intention was to vote against the same proposal on the present occasion. Hβ took this opportunity of saying so much because although he had been nominated to the Chamber by the present Government he desired it to be understood that his votes would always be given according to his convictions, and not at the diotation of the present Ministry. After further dißCueeion, the amendment by Mr McLean granting electoral rights to women went to division, and was lose by 26 to 19. The following is the division list *■—> , For the Amendment—l 9. Messrs Reynolds Messrs Wahawaha L. Walker W. 0. Walker Richardson Feldwick Sir G. Whitmore Bowen Messrs Bonar Dr. Grace Kelly Messrs McLean Swanaon ' Holmes Shrimski Peacock Stevens Mantel! Kerr Against the Amendment—2o. Messrs ■ Messrs Whyte Barnicoat Macgregor MeCnllough Acland Pharazyn Olliver Williams Onnond Bolt Johnston Bigg Dr. Pollen Jennings MeasrS Hart Jenkinson Montgomery Dignan Sir Pi Buckley In the 15th schedule, electoral districts in which the poll closes-at 7, Mr JENNINGS moved an amendment, the insertion of the borough of Eden (Auckland). The Council adjourned at 5 p.m. EVENING SITTING; The Council resumed at 7.30. BLSOTO&AIi Bttli. The COLONIAL SECRETARY sold the omission of Edenjn the list of the places at which polls close at seven o'clock was the fault of the other House, and he would be happy to accept the amendment. The amendment was agreed to on ths voices, and the schedule was amended i making the polling booth at Eden to close ! at 7 p.mV The Bill was reported with the amendment, and the third reading fixed for next day. LIQTJOE BILL. The Alcoholic Liquors Bale and Control Bill was committed. - On Clause 6—Constitution of Licensing Committees, Mr MoLEAN remarked that he should like to see the old system of making Reeli dent Magistrates Chairmen of Licensing Committees reverted to, and moved an amendment in this direction. In this connection he should like to congratulate the I Government on the appointment of Mr 1 Martin to the position of Resident Magistrate in Wellington. . Tee COLONIAL SECRETARY expressed the opinion that Mr McLean was scarcely aware of the effect of his amendment. Personally he was not averse to the proposed amendment, but it would, if agreed to, involve the recast of the'whole BilL He suggested the postponement of clauses 6 and 7. Mr SHRIMSKI, speaking to the amendment, produced a printed circular issued by the prohibitionist party, and, posted to every member of the Council. The circular was full of venomous language, libelled the Government, and bore no imprint. He drew the attention of the Attorney-General to the circular in the hope that he would take ■ action against the printers of the! document. Eventually; Mr McLEAN withdrew his amendment, and substituted a fresh amend- j ment in clause 6, viz., to strike oat the first two lines of the clause in order to test the question whether they should not return to the old system of Resident Magistrates joining the liiceniring Bench. The amendment waa agreed to by 17 VJls* : ■■■• ■ . ■ I

The following is the division list :— For the amendment 17. Messrs Reynolds Messrs Wahawaha JL Walker Whyte " Bonar Oliver Swanson Ormond Shrimaki Bowen Pharazvn Johnston Williams McLean Stevens Peacock Jenkinson Against amendment 15. Messrs Stewart Messrs Jennings Riohardson W.C. Walker Kelly FeMwick Baraicoat McGregor McCuUough Acland Kerr - Montgomery Bolt Sir P. Buckley Rigg The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved that progress be reported. The amendment of Mr McLean affected the whole principle of the BUI, and therefore he took the step of reporting progress in order that he might consider the position. He wished the hon. gentleman joy. of his bargain. Mr MoLEAN said he did not desire to take this view, and was anxious to come to a compromise with Government. After discussion progress was reported with leave to sit again. SICOXD READINGS. The West Coast Settlement Reserves Act Amendment Bill (Colonial Secretary) was read a second time, and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Stamp j Act Amendment Bill was read a second time, and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Post Office Acts Amend* ment Bill was also read a second time. BttX PASSED. The Dunedin Garrison Hall Trustees Empowering Bill passed through Commit-* tee and the final stages. The Council rose at 9.30 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, September 7. afternoon" sitting. The House met at 2.30 p.m. QUESTIONS. Replying to Mr Fish, Mr J. MoKENZiE said it was not correct that the Lands Department had given an order for four horse-power compound engines for dairy factory work. Replying to Mr Fish, Mr SEDDON said the Government had asked the Rev. J. T. Hiaton for the grounds on which he made & statement at a public meeting recently in Dunedin to the effect that the constable who had been stationed in Roslyn had recently become bankrupt because, in consequence of all the publichouses in the district having been closed, he no longer received his usual tips from the publicans. A reply had not yet been received, but if the constable were still in the service he should have insisted on his taking proceedings against the person who made such, a statement. Replying to Mr Wright, Mr WARD said that the report of the Flounder Fisheries Commissioners would receive the careful consideration of the Government, and if it were found that the practice of taking email flounders from the water was persisted in steps would be taken to prevent it. Replying to Mr McGuire, Mr SEDDON said thac, on receipt of further information with respect to an active mineral spring said to have been discovered at Mount Egmont, the Government would take some steps in the matter. THE CADMAN-SMITH AFFAIR. Mr SHERA gave notice to move, on going into Committee of Supply, that a Committee be appointed to enquire into the Native land transactions in Hawke's Bay between Messrs Cadman and Smith, the Committee to consist of Messrs Reeves, Ward, Rolleston, Pinkerton, Richardson, Saunders, Wright, Duthie, Earnshaw, and Meredith. BILLS PASSED. The district of Palmerston North Hospital and Charitable Aid Board Empowering Bill was committed, read a third time, and passed. Mr G. HUTCHISON moved-—" That the report of the Committee on the Harbours Act, 1876, Amendment Bill be agreed to. 1, Mr FISH raised a point of order on the ground that the Bill had been so materially altered in Committee that it was virtually a new BilL After some discussion the Speaker ruled that Mr Hutohison's motion was quite in Order. Mr FISH then moved as an amendment that the amendments made in the Bill be referred back to the Local Bills Committee for their consideration. - Mr ALLEN seoonded the amendment. He agreed with Mr Fish's contention, and said that the Bill had been so much altered that, being a local Bill, it should be adver* tiaed afresh, as even the title of the Bill had been changed. - Mr G. HUTCHISON said the amend* ments made in the Bill were merely changes in form cot in substance. Mr FERGUS supported the amendment, and contended that there was plenty of time to send the Bill back to the Local Bills Committee for their opinion ac to whether it should be allowed to pass. The amendment wte lost On the voices, the Bill was read a third time and passed. OCEAN BEACtt BILL. On the motion "That the Ocean Beach Public Domain Act, 1892, Amendment Bill be committed," ■ Mr FISH moved an amendment—" That the Bill bs committed that day three months." He spoke at considerable length against the BilL He was still speaking at the 5.30 adjournment. EVENING~iITTING. - The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. FENCING ACT AMENDMENT. The Fencing Act Amendment Bill was i received from the Legislative Council with amendments. - Mr BDCELLAND moved that the amend- ■ meute be not agreed to, and that t> Conforence be appointed. Agreed to. SHOPS AND 3HOP ASSISTANTS BILL. Shops and Shop Assistants Bill was further considered in Committee. . On clause 2—lnterpretation. Mr W. HUTCHISON moved to insert in i the clause the words, " and includes bars of , hotels licensed under the Licensing Act, i 1881" He said he did not propose to I include the whole of an hotel, only the bar, and he thought this would oommend itself ! to the good sense of honourable members. Mr FISH stigmatised this attempt on Mr > Hutchison's part &s an absolute act of spoliation, as hotels were under heavy ci- • penses, and to close them for half a day in > every week would be a great hardship. Mr REEVES hoped the Committee woula not accept the amendment. If it produced [ the effect intended, namely, to give a half* holiday to certain employees of hotels, he r should support it, but it would do nothing ' of the kind. It would simply close bars on that day. If an amendment of this kind I were inserted in clause 7 (which provides . that shop assistants were to have a weekly . half'holiday) he should support it. I Mr ROLLESTON opposed the amendment as he did not think it was the proper place to insert it. He was opposed to the '■ Bill stock, lock and barrel, but he should • not on that account vote for amendments in • Committee to make the Bill worse and more unworkable. Sir ROBERT STOUT'denied that hotels i would be closed by the amendment, as stated - by Mr Fish, ie only affected the bars of s hotels. He could not see why men should [ be prevented from buying an orange in i in a fruiterer's shop if he were thirsty, and I yet be allowed to go into a hotel to buy whiskey. Mr FERGUS said if the amendment ' were carried he should vote to give all cmi ployees in hotels a half holiday. Mr VALENTINE did not see how the i amendment would give people in bars a half-holiday. He should vote for it, bat he i thought it simply meant to close np hotels : in another way. ' Mr BUCKLAND strongly condemned the amendment, and all such fads and trash. Mr BRUCE supported the amendment, and entirely agreed with Sir R. Stout's reasoning. He did not speak as a teetotaller, but he held they should do their best to promote temperanba. Mr R THOMPSON said if this BUI became law it would ruin hundreds of small tradespeople. The Labour Bill* Committee

evidently thought this, as they carefully provided that it should not come into force till after the general election, and they knew it would cause a howl all over the colony. A lengthy debate ensued, after which Mr FISH moved that progress be reported. Lost by 39 to 18. Mr Hutchison's amendment was lost by 38 tol& The following is the division list:—For Mr W. Hutchison's amendment (18) —Messrs Allen, Bruce, Buick, Earnshaw, Fisher, Su J. Hall, Hall-Jones, Houston, W. Hutchison, M. J. S. Mackenzie, Meredith, Mitchelson, Palmer, Saanders, Sir R. Stoat, Messrs Taylor, R. Thompson, Wilson. Against (39)— Messrs Blake, Buchanan, Buckland, Cadmtn, Carncroas, Oawson, Duncan, Duthie, Fergus, Fish, Fraser, Harkness, Hogg, Joyce, \V. Kelly, lake, Lawry, McGowan, McKenzie, McLean, C £L Mills, O'Conor, Parata, Pinkerton, Reeves, Rhodes, Richardson, Rolleston, Sandford, Seddoa, Shera, E. M. Smith, Swan, Tanner, T. Thompson, Valentine, Ward, Mills, Wright. Fairs : —For the amendment— J. MiHa» Against the amendment— J. W. Kelly. Mr McLEAN moved a further amend* ment to include all prisons, hospitals, and lunatic asylums, with the object of insert* ing, later on, a provision that assistant* in these institutions should receive a half holiday. Mr REEVES said he conld not accept the amendment. The CHAIRMAN ruled the amendment out of order. Mr BUCKLAND moved a further amendment to insert the words in the clause, " and where assistants are engaged for a time." He said bis object was to ensure that the Act should not apply to " people who kept the shop themselves with* out assistants. Mr O'CON OR moved to make the clause apply to wholesale establishments as well as retail. Lost by 28 to 21. Mr DUTHIE strongly supported the amendment (Mr Buckland's), mainlining that if it were not carried great injustice would be done to a large number of small shopkeepers who employed no assistants. Mr FISH also supported the amend* menfc, and said it could not be called a liberal measure which injured «m%H shop* keepers. Mr EARNSHAW said he had been taunted with having said this Bill would cause a number of small shopkeepers to go to the wall, but he repeated it was an absolute fact that this would happen. Mr TANNER defended the Bill, and said there would be no loss to trade by it. After a lone; discussion, Mr Buckland's amendment was lost by 25 to 16. The following is the division list:—For the amendment (16)— Messrs Bruce, Buchanan, Buckland, Damson, Duthie, Fish, Houston, Lake, Moore, Richardson, Rolleston, Saunders, Swan, Taylor, Thompson and R. Valentine. Against the amendment 25 — Messrs - Buick, Cadman, Earnshaw, Fisher, Hall* Jones, Harkness, Hogg, W. Hutchison* Joyce, Lawry, T. Mackenzie, McGowan, McLean, Meredith, C. H. Mills, Pinkerton, Reeves, RusselL Sandford, Shera, W. 0. Smith, Sir R. Si out, Messrs Tanner, T. Thompson, Ward. Fairs :—For the amendment—Messrs J. Mills, Hamlin, Mitchelson, Allen, Carncroas, Fergus, M. J. S. Mackenzie, Rhodes, Sir J. Hall, Wilson, and G. Hutchison. Against the amendment—Messrs W. J. Kelly, Fraser,. Seddon, J. McKenzie, Macintosh, Carroll, Newman, Willie, W. Kellji O'Conor, and "Duncan. Mr DUTHIE moved to include basks, insurance aud shipping offices in the Bill. Mr GUINNESS ruled the amendment out of order. Mr FISH then moved the Chairman leave the chair. He said it was evident the Bill would make no further progress that night. The interpretation clause was still under discussion when the Telegraph Office closed at 2 a.m.