LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

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

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Fbiday, September 8. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. FIEST HEADINGS. The following Bills were read a first timeDistrict of Palmerston North Hospital and Charitable Aid Board Bill and Wanganu: Harbour Board Bill. ORDER OP BUSINESS.. It was resolved on motion of the COLONIAL SECRETARY that during the remainder of the session Council shall meet on Mondays, and Government business to take precedence. ELECTORAL BILL. The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the third reading of the Electoral Bill. Mr BOWEN thought that' in considering the last stage of the Bill, which was such an unusual one, the motion should not be allowed to go by default. When the Bill first came before the Council, it was generally thought it would be dealt with as most of these Electoral Bills generally were, but when the Bill came up in Committee, it was soon seen that the Bill was meant as a mere farce.. The one thing meant in introducing it ' was to give tbe franchise to women. This was the Bill, and nothing more, With regard to what had occurred siuce the second reading, the opinions of some members had been altered. The agitation with respect to granting the vote to women had certainly been successful, but from letters and telegrams he had lately received from women he felt convinced that the majority of women did not desire the franchise; nay, he would say this, that the majority of the women of the colony considered the granting of the privilege to women would prove baneful to those who yet were to be born. He trusted that the Bill Would yet be rejected, and would be sent to the country to decide** whether it should become the law of the land or not. New ideas and idols always obtained their worshippers, but they speedily found that their idols were of stone. They mistook " the ruddy dawn for the rising sun," but their false worship soon became apparent. He moved as an amendment to the motion for the third reading that the Bill be read a third time that day six months. Mr RIGG said he had constantly opposed tbe Bill, and after the treatment he and others had received in Committee he asked tbe Government, whilst they had yet time, to hesitate before they passed the third reading and allow its consideration to be dealt with by the country. Mr McLEAN remarked that if the Bill was killed it would be owing to the overzealoußness of their supporters in the Council. He counselled the Government to drop the Bill and allow it to go to the country. Mr W. C. WALKER had, with others, j done his bast to bring in amendments, such as the introduction of electoral rights and generally to make . the Bill, a suitable one, but when in Committee tbe father of the Council, who,should have known better, , had acted so peculiarly as to pain and grieve him. He failed to sea why tbe electoral rights system should not have been granted to all classes of the community, and he certainly faded to see why two sections of the community only should have tbe privilege conferred upon them. Ho had studied the columns of the Press of the colony and had anived at the conclusion that no public meetings had demanded the Women's Franchise Bill, which, in his opinion, was imperfect and should be relegated to the people before being dealt with by Parliament. Mr STEWART supported the third reading. As he believed the popular branch of the Legislature had repeatedly approved the question of granting voting powers to women, he implored the Council to p&3s the Bill. .. . . Sir G. WHTTMORE also implored the Council, but it was to implore the Chamber not to pass tbe Bill until the people had decided the matter at the hustings. Dr., POLLEN supported the third reading. Mr BAILUE said he should not be doing his duty if lie did not support the amendment of Mr Bowen. He believed in the enfranchisement of women, but desired that the country first of all should, at the ballotbox, express an opiniou. Mr STEVENS once again gave his reasons for having supported the conferring of electoral rights upon women, of which Srinciple he last year was the godfather, [c intended to vote for the third reading of the Bill. Mr PHARAZYN said he considered the "Bill was a mass of inconsistencies, but as h? believed women should obtain the franchise he intended to support the third reading. Mr BONAR intimated his intention of voting for the amendment. : After further discussion the amendment was put and negatived by 20 to 18, and the motion for the third reading was agreed to on the voices and the Bill was passed. The following is the division list;— For the Amendment—lß. Messrs L. Walker Messrs Wahawaha Richardson W. C. Walker Badlie Feldwick Bir G. Whitmore Bowen Messrs Bonar Dr. Grace Swaxuou Messrs McLean ' Shrimski Holmes Kerr Peacock ■ Bigg Man tell Against the Amendmeut—2o. Messrs Reynolds Messrs Whyte Stewart Macgregor Barnicoat Aclaad - McOullough Ottiver Pharazytf Ormond Williams Johnston Stevens Dr. Pollen Holt Messrs Hart Jenkineon Montgomery Dhjasyj Sir P. Buckley

1 SECOND readings. The following Bills were read a second time:—Christchurch Hospital Act Amendment (referred to the Waste Lands Committee), Ell Empowering, Public Health Act Amendment. E? COMMITTEE. The Native Trusts and Claims Registration Bill was committed, and after discussion progress was reported with leave to sit again. The Council, at 5 o'clock, adjourned till Monday.