PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8589, 16 September 1893, Page 7

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

[By Telegraph.]

(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT). WELLINGTON, September 15. FEMALE FRANCHISE. This afternoon it was officially announced that two amendments were required to be made in connection with the Electoral Bill, and those who had been suspicious of the Premier's attitude concerning the enfranchisement of women immediately jumped to the conclusion that the object of the amendments was to give the anti-franchisists in the Council a final opportunity of stitiiug the reform. One of the amendments deals with the words "or leaseholders," which are mere surplusage in the interpretation clause, and the other has reference to an informality concerning Maori representation. The correction of the latter irregularity which was discovered by Mr Stowe, Clerk to the Council, in finally revising the Bill, as necessary, because while provision is made for permitting half castes to be questioned if they have voted no such provision ia made in the case of Maoris. The Premier personally interviewed the opponents of the measure and solicited them to allow the Governor's message covering these amendments to pass unchallenged, but some who were opposed to the proposed reform, demurred, saying that Councillors on the other side had broken pairs and behaved iudeeentiy in refusing to listen to any amendments in Committee. Mr Seddon then put down his foot and said he was determined the Electoral Bill should become law. At the time of writing (7 p.m.) I am assured that as the result of an interview with the Governor held late this afternoon, Lord Glasgow has agreed to sign the Bill, as it passed both branches of the Legislature, and this is the course that will shortly be adopted. The message covering the proposed amendments has, therefore, been withdrawn, and after the Royal assent has been given, Ministers can, if necessary, introduce a short Bill of one operative j clause dealing with the Maori difficulty. No importance attaches to the words "or leaseholders," in the interpretation clause, which are meaningless. Enough has been said to show that all danger is now removed from the paths of female franchise, and that their political recognition is only a matter of a few hours. Later. Soon after the House met to-night a statement was made by the Premier bearing out my message sent durmg diuner adjournment. The Electoral Bill is now in the hands of the Governor awaiting his pleasure, but there is no ground for supposing that the Royal assent will be withheld or reserved. It is expected to be appended to-morrow. MIDLAND RAILWAY. The Public Accounts Committee have adopted a report re the Midland Railway Company's proposals, which will be submitted to the House ou Tuesday. It is in these terms :— "The Committee cannot recommend the acceptance of the proposals of the Company, as embodied in the draft contract submitted to them; (2.) The Committee recommend that the contract be amended so as to provide that in lieu of laud grants being made to the Company on accouut of the work hereafter to be executed by them, debentures of corresponding value, plus 15 per cent, of the value of the land, be issued to the Company, bearing interest at the rate of 3£ per cent, per annum, such issue of debentures in lieu of land grants to be conditional on the Company surrendering its right to select the land within the reserved area of about 5,600,000 acres, after deducting tne quantity to which they are entitled or to which they may be entitled for works in progress ; (3) That an extension of time for the completion of the work be granted the Company, such extension not exceeding five years from the date of signing the new contract; (4) That if desired by the Compauy debentures to which they may become entitled be deposited with the Pnblic Trustee to be issued to the Company in as near as may be twenty equal half-yearly instalments, the interest of each debeuture while in the hands of the Public Trustee to be applied as the Company may direct, and that this provision shall not be considered a variation of the other terms of the contract." THE RAILWAY BIL_. Judging by the length of the opening speeches on the Government Railways Bill, the debate on the second reading will occupy two or three nights. Mr Seddon led off by going into a deal of matter extraneous to the Bill with the view to prejudicing the case against the Railway Commissioners. His was a fighting speech and he sought to meet objections which he evidently anticipated would be raised by those favourable to the continuance of the present system. Mr Rollestou followed, occupying the floor of the House for the better part of two hours. The Premier's intention of carrying the Bill through all its stages is not likely to be fulfilled. In the course of his speech on the Railway Bill Mr Seddon said that a certain newspaper had sent round to the public men letters asking them to express an opinion on this question. If any one analysed their replies they would see that the persons of whom the questions were asked were those whose opinions on the subject were well known, and he was surprised to find even among these evidence of opposition to the Commissioners. "Mr Rhodes interrupted to say that the Premier was dealing iv insinuations, and Mr Seddon replied that it was not insinuation but a fact. The true exponents of public opinion were the members sitting in Parliament. Mr Rolleston—" That is a question." The Premier — "There are some members here who in a little time we shall know no more." Mr Fergus—" Thank God." The Premier than proceeded with his address. JOTTINGS. "The Railway Commissioners have the power if they choose to wield it to drive any Government from office," says Mr Seddon, and the Premier ingeniously pointed out that they could lower rates so ridiculously as to disorganise the revenue and finances. The leader of the Opposition says that it was a wicked and inflammatory interjection on the part of the Hon. Mr Reeves to say that tiie Railway Commissioners provoked the strike of three years ago. "If the railway hands are discontented, and I don't believe they are," says Mr Rolleston, " that discontent has been stimulated and fomented by the Government." "The House has been led for two years by a geialtituau who chooses to be asleep when he doesn't like to be awake," said a speaker this evening.