Female Franchise Bill.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5235, 25 August 1891, Page 2

Female Franchise Bill.

SECOND READING CARRIED,

MR SWAN'S PROTEST.

MR FISH SHOWS TEMPER.

JFEOM OUE PABIiIAMBNTABY, ESPOETKE.]

[by otgkgbaph.]

Wellington, Last night.

The ladies mustered in great force in the House to-day, and that there was a large majority of members in favor of enfranchising , women soon became evident when the question came under consideration at the afternoon sitting in connection with the Female Suiirage Bill. Its second reading , was moved in an udinirably temperate speech by Sir John Hall, who pointed out that criminals and lunatics could vote as soon as they regained their liberty, and pointedly asked why should women be put on a worse footing than they ? In the Ellestnere distriot alone twenty-four women were managing farms up to two hundred acres in area, and yet were debarred from the franchise, while every man in thpir employ could exercise it. A good deal of Sir John's remarks dealt with the morality phase of reform in Parliamentary elections, and his thrusts clearly penetrated the skin of Mr Fish, at whom thoy were undoubtly directed. In a few well chosen remarks Mr Pinkerton seconded the motion, expressing a hope that argument would, be answered by argument and not by declamation or abuse. Mr Fish followed his colleague by aciiuieeaing in the hope that abuse would not bii introduced into the debate, and then (■bowel his absolute inconsistency by making a vigorous persoual onslaught ou the introducer of the Bill under consideration. In a f peech of nearly three hours' duration ho spoke against the extension of the franchise, and tbe spirit of his remarks left on his auciitnee the impression that he feared the result of giving women votes would bring 11 bout his own political extinction. He threatened to stone* all the Bill if it was attempted to put it through Committee at that sitting , , and announced his intention of moving amendments firstly delaying th.c bringing of the i'emale Suffrage Bill into ouemion till January,' I§94 ( ' by which time (

the present Parliament will have expired by effluxion of time, and secondly that it do not have effect till a census has been taken, and a majority of both sexes have affirmed the extension of the franchise in the manner proposed.

Speeches strongly supporting the measure vere delivered by Messrs Fergus (who announced himself a recent convert to the female franchiee), Saunders, Bees, and Buicir (who thought it would bring about temperance reform).

'I here was every indication of the question going to a division when Mr Swan rose to enter his emphatic protect against the Bill. The question of female franchise had never been made a burning question' at election times, and before the present Aot was passed the voice of the community should betaken by means of a census. He scouted the idea that the opposition to it came from the liquor trade, and urged that the Bill was fomented in the interests of prohibition. Another ground for his opposition was that once the female franchiee became un fait accompli, it would be the death-knell of our educational system on account of the influence the olergy had over women. Mr Macintosh followed by deolaring that it showed we were only partially civilised by not having given women their rights long ago. : .--'.■■■ . Mr Fisher stoutly resisted the proposed enfranchisement of women. ""

The second reading of. the Bill wm supported by Messrs Taylor, 0. H. Mills, and Earnshaw, the last named having possession, of the floor at the supper adjournment.

After the supper adjournment the debate was kept up by several members till nearly one a.m.

Mr. Parata objected to the Bill because no provision was made for giving rotee to native women. . •

Controverting Mr. Swan's assertion that the measure was introduced in the interests of , the prohibition party, Mr. Kennedy Macdonald said that the hon. gent'a speech was really to the " wail of the beer barrels" The discussion was continued till nearly one o'clock, but it was noticeable that not a single occupant of the Treasury benches took part in the debate. . . . ~ In replying Sir John Hall said he, was willing to have the clause amended iii Committee suspending the bringing into operation of the Aot till the next general election. Replying to Mr. Farata he said that the Bill gave votes to Maori women equally with European women. , : ' ::: At twelve minutes past one the question was put, Mr Fish calling for a division. Uβ was one of the tellers, and on returning , after the votes were recorded he/threw'hie telling sheet on the table in the most discreditable manner, whereby Mr Speaker; very properly rebuked him, and he ill forced to apologise. • ■ '■ '■'■'?.*■ The second reading of :the Bill was carried by 33 to 8, the announcement being received with loud cheers. The following is the division list:— ■ A.TBB, 33.

Ballance Macdonald Bryce M'Kenzie, T. Buchanan M'Guire Buokiand ''' •Meredith Buick MMb.O. H. Cadman - Moore Duncan . O'CouQr Duthie Palmer Earnshaw . , Perceval leaser .•■•■- 'Pinkerton Hall Reeves, S. H. Hall-Jones ; Reeves, W. P. Harkness ' Saunders Hutchison, W. Shera ; Joyce Tanner ; * ■ - Kelly, J. Wright : ~. Kelly, W. NOES, ft. Blake Fisher Carncroes Kapa Dawson Swan Fish Valentino, PAIBS. For. Against. Russell Richardson Macarthur Rolleston ...... Nowman Hamlin Hutchison, G. Parata ■. . ~ Thompson R. Guiuneaa • • Wilson Rhodes ■ La wry Thompson T. ;" Mackintosh ' M'Kenzie, J. •; Grey Taipua —: Rees Thompson, J. W* Mills, 3. Carroll; Smith, E. M. Maokenzie, T. . Mitchelson Ward

Fergus. "-■'" Mackenzie, M. J.:S. The Premier said that at this late hour he did not propose to carry, the Bill any further that night, but was willing' it committed some day this week, Probably Wednesday. . Sir John Hall admitted that at this late stage of the session no private member could carry a Bill through, so he handed it over to the Premier, who will take charge of it. ' ' '■'.■ "■

'Mr Fish thereupon showed an extraordinary exhibition of temper by> saying he, was utterly and entirely disgusted with tha conduct of the Government in this matter. Their own whips had deceived him, and the division just taken no more represented the real feeling of the House than Hyperion did Satyr.. He declared himself opposed to the Government for their tergiversation. ~ (Loud laughter from the Government benches): The leader of the Opposition he had no respect for, but if the member for Hals well would lead a middle, party' And table a motion of want-of-confidence in the Government be would vote against them tomorrow, he was bo disgusted with their treacherous conduct. . ~.-..■

The Premier defended hie. Whips absolutely, and said that the Government could not allow any indiridual member of aparty to dictate to a party a largo majority of whom were determined to carry this Bill through. (Cheers from the Government benches).

As members trooped out of the House Mr Fish was heard disclaiming loudly against the insinoerity of the Government Whips, and their supporters.