FEMALE FRANCHISE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8583, 9 September 1893, Page 7

FEMALE FRANCHISE.

THE CRUCIAL DIVISION. ITS POSSIBLE FATE. By Telegkaph. (from cue special correspondent). WELLINGTON, September 8. There was another unexpected development in connection, with the question of female suffrage to-day. Late on Wednesday night it was announced that Mr T. Kelly had paired for female franchise with Mr L. Walker, but pressure was brought to bear on the former by the opponents of the reform and the pair was broken. This morning it was discovered that Mr Kelly before leaving for his home had agaia changed his mind and had paired against proposed reform with Mr Jennings, one of its staunchest sop* porters, thus the supposed majority of avx was reduced to four. But other surprises came this afternoon. Mr Rigg and Captain Baillie, both o! whom nad been reckoned on to support the third reading of the Electoral Bill, unexpectedly declared themselves against it and thu anti-franchisists presented an exceed* ingly pleased appearance. But their triumph was short-lived. Mr Stevens, who had voted with Mr McLean on the previous day for electoral rights, said that he considered it a matter of detail on which he had been worsted; it should not the principle of so important a question as female franchise, and therefore __ he should vote for the third reading of the Electoral BUI. The speech w&a delivered in such a manner as to impress its hearers with the idea that Mr Stevens, having given the matter serious thought, had from con* scieutious convictions sacrificed hie love for the voting rights of which he wae anchor to principle, and he woe warmly cheered on resuming his seat. His remarks, too, seemed to remove the doubts existing iii Mr Reynolds' mind; he fol* lotred by declaring himself in the same direction. The victory was thiia won unless Messrs Holmes and Hart, neither of whom addressed the Chamber, both voted for the amendment, and, as the former did so, and the latter for the Bill, the crucial division was carried by 20 to 18. There was great excitement when the division was being taken; all galleries being crowded with interested spectators, including Sir J. Hall, Sir R. Stout, and other champions of " Lovely Woman." The member for Ellesmere was warmly congratulated on, the prospect of being in a position to renounce his political armour with the desire of his life achieved. The triumph of the political woman is now all bat complete, and the only quextion that arises is: Dare the Government take any steps which will delay their enfranchisement till after the general election. A lurking suspicion that some such eonrae is contemplated has bean occasioned by the Premier petting off till Monday consideration of the trifling amendments in the Electoral Bill in* stead of agreeing to them forthwith, as they were proposed by the. Minister in charge in the Council, and the difficulty in which the Government finds itself over the licensing question. This is a matter to which they attach as much importance as to woman suffrage and the reform of the electoral law. It was at one time to-day thought that a compromise would be effected over the Licensing Bill by having the members sitting with the Resident Magistrate 4s Chairman. Bat this solution could not have found favour with the majority of the Council. Will the Government be agreeable to prorogue with woman suffrage in force and no Licensing Bill, or would they prefer to go to the country with the present franchise on the licensing question? That is where the political woman's danger seemingly lies. Many members now eeem to think that the Premier in getting the consideration of the amendments deferred till Monday hopes to induce his Excellency to refuse his assent to the Electoral Bill till it has been referred to the Home Government, as an important constitutional change is involved. I give the rumour for what it is worth. The House will certainly not agree to pass the Appropriation Bill till it knows the fate of this Bill, whether it has his Excellency's assent or not.