POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Evening Star, Issue 8612, 4 September 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

(FbOM Gob PAULIAMKNTABV RkIWBXKB.]

WELLINGTON, Sbptkmbbe 4, The Women's Fnmeblse.

" Woman, lovely woman,” soisly engrossed the attention of members of theHome last night, end finally she triumphed to the extent that her claims to early enfranchisement were acknowledged, and from and after Jnne 1, 1893, those who seek til* privilege of enrolment and voting at parliamentary elections can have then deSlns gratified. l This resalt was altogether unexpected, for daring the last ample of day* it had been known that the Premier and hie whips have been trying to get the right of women to enrolment deferred till 1894—till alter the next General Election/ in fact—and tbs atanoobest advocates of female suffrage, on a careful pricking of the oard, found' themselves in a minority of three* Bat from an unlooked-for quarter rid came at the last moment, and Messrs J. Miffs, Kapa, Richardson, Rblieston, and Boiek* most of whom bad voted against the second reading of the Bill, threw in their lot with the champions of women’s rights, and victory was on their side. A glance at tiw division-list will show that Ministers to amanr voted with tiie minority. After the dale when the Act to to come into operation was determined, Ur Carnorosr moved a new danse providing that every woman registered as an elector sboald be qualified to be elected a- membef of the Hoqse of Representatives. The opponents of the Bill made no secret of the foot that they Intended to vote for the amendment, in the hope that the Council would strike out the clause, and thus by a aide wind the Bill would be lost. On a division the clause was carried by 3d to 24, and there Was hearty cheering on the part of the opponents of the measure. Mr Fish was desirous of adding a further amendment, but cries of “We don't want it; the Biff lb settled,” were raised on all sides, and the bon. gentleman desisted from his intention. The third reading of the Bill was agreed to shortly afterwards. Its passage through the Council Is, however, regarded as certain. The Shop Bonn Bill Rejected As was anticipated, the amended Shop Honrs Bill has received its quietus at the hands of the Council. Resuming the debate* yesterday afternoon, The Bon. L. Walker expressed the hope that bon. gentlemen would allow the Bill logo into committee merely out of compliment to the Colonial Secretory, who was universally courteous to members of the Council.

Thq Hop, Mr Bowen said that (he Labor Bills Committee had condemned the measure on principle, and bad not troubled themselves to go into details. It was on principle solely that be should vote for it being committed that day six months. For the sake of a little temporary popularity, the Connell ought not surrender the liberties of the people which had been entrusted to themv If the Bill were to pass, injustice and crnelty would be inflicted on a number of persons. As to the exemption clause, itwao his opinion that a more cnrionsly haphazard piece of legislation had never been introduoeds *

The Hon. Mr Fulton objected to a number of people rushing to the Government and trying to induce them to get jegislatleo enacted far in advance of public opinion, and which could only create injustice to others.

The amendment was agreed to by 21 to 5, and the Bill was effectually killed. The division list was as follows:

Am (21). Messrs Aokland, Baillie, BarnicoaL Bowen, Bockley, Dignao, Fulton, Mart, HoJgiß*, Johnston, Murtoll, Martin, Miller, Peacock, Reynolds, Sbrimßki, Stewart, Stnmaon, Talaroa, Walker, Waha* waha, Whitmore, Whyte, Wilson. Now (6). -Messrs Once, Fbaiaxyn, PoUen, Stevens, Williams. Stiff Criticism.

The want of firmness exhibited by Mr Speaker in dealing with the member for Waitotara on Tuesday night has been unfavorably commented on, and the * Evening Press * goes so far as to say that it “ was quite evident that the Speaker had met more than his match, and that the Minister of Lands had, in attempting to dictate to Mr Hutchison, found himself in the position of a blustering bully brought face to face with a perfect match." Parliamentary quarters. Attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a tendency on the part of members to seek lodgings beneath the parliamentary roof. Mr Speaker has set the example, ana he now resides permanently in the official quarters. Sir George Grey also occupies a room in the parliamentary buildings; bnt it is only right to state that the veteran only consented to avail himself of this privilege on condition that he himself paid for all the expenditure required for furnishing. Were it not for this convenience, Sir 6. Grey could not be expected to attend to his parliamentary duties closely. As a matter of fact, he is one of the most attentive members of the House. Mr A. Saunders, the well-known economist, also, without any formality has camped down in one of the parliamentary rooms supposed to be appropriated to Ministerial nse; bnt he is alto an exceptional case, Mr Saunders being subject to bronchitis of such severity (hat he is required to take the greatest care of his health. Advanced a StaveThe Selectors’ Land Revaluation Bill was further considered in committee in the Council yesterday afternoon, and after some verbal and inconsequential amendments bad been made it was reported as amended, and its third reading fixed for to-day. Whilst the measure was in committee, Mr Folton expressed the opinion that it should now be known as the Selectors* Fair Rent BilL The Hon. Mr Miller, from his own knowledge, said that pastoral tenants had been poshed to the wail; in fact, they were being roindd. Wholesale conspiracies had been set on foot with the avowed intention of raining the pastoral tenants. To this. Mr Shnmski made reply that the Crown tenants, notwithstanding their losses, bad applied for renewals of their licenses. In Trcubled Waters.

Another of the Labor Bills bad a very bad quarter of an hour In the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon. This was the Workmen’s lien BUI, the second reading of which was moved by the Colonial Secretary. The attack was led off by Mr Stevens, who said that the ConncU should pause before it went farther with the BUI. It appeared to * him to be a matter for very grave consideration whether anyone would be benefited by it. Probably the principal sufferers would be thoee who were employed. Inasmuch as it largely seemed to point in tee direction of the discouragement of anyone who wished to engage in improvements. The Hon. W. D. Stewart urged teat, although nominally a Workmen’s Lien Bill, it was properly a Contractors’ Lien Bill, and went on dissimilar lines altogether to tee Builders’ Lien BUI introdaoed • by tee late Government. Objection was raised tothe Bill by tee Hon. Mr Pharazyn, as its real object would be to force people out at tee . colony, and to abandon contracts altogether, with a view to having everything done by day labor—a teigg which was an absurdity; bat such were the aim and intention ol the unionist*. He oogoinded by moving that tee Bifl be read a second time that day six months. Sir G. Whitmore, While agreeing teat Sen were many objectionable features in e measure, thought that the Council on that simply were not justified in teter dnty.He advocated flw Bill bring briore a select committee before it* Committal. The Bill was aiw commented on adversely by the Hons. Messrs Bowen and Fnlton, and after a short reply by tee Attorney-General tee amendment was rejected by 24 to 5, and the second reading

kkaented to, after whjoh the measure w*a re{erred to the Labor BUla Committee, where t b likely to be ooaaiderabty amended;

iottlncs. Considerable opposition was. offered yea»to the Grejmouth Harbor Board till, which proposes to empower the Board to raise another loan of Loo,ooo for expenditure on the harbor works. The Bill Bassed through committeti bat Mr Wright ten stonewalled its third reading pp to the dinner adjournment with snob effect that the farther stages had to be postponed. tJnionbm, according to the Hon. Dr Pollen, u an epidemic which requires an amoant of robustness not common to Governments on their last legs to be free from. The bon.- gentleman, nowever, expresses surprise that a young Government, with full power like we have at the present time, should be susceptible to attacks of this kind. The Wanganui River Trust Bill, which passed sdl stages in the House yesterday, will set up a river board for the purpose of improving the navigation of that river, and ■bo for preserving the grand forest scenery along its banks. One of the occupants of the Speakers gallery forgot last night that in a parliamentary sense he was a “stranger,” and had the courage to shout out hear !” to some sentiment that met with his approval. He narrowly escaped being ejected by one of the attendants; but, on promising to behave himself better, he was allowed to sit down.

The Hon. Dr Pollen says that had the Workmen’s Lien Bill carried the title of “an Act to abolish competition in labor, and to permit the establishment of a fixed standard for the payment of working people,” the real purpose of it, if not its certain effect, would be disclosed.

In the Kaltangata and Tnakitoto Lakes Bill of last session it was fonnd that the County Council had only power to auction, and this had been fonnd to be unworkable. An amending Bill, which passed all its stages yesterday, enables the County Council to arrange with the owners of the adjacent lands for a lease of the lands in question on terms to be fixed by the valuers. In discussing the Workmen’s Lien Bill yesterday the Hon. W. D. Stewart stated that although the Bill may have been taken from the Queensland measure, as was alleged by the Colonial Secretary, the material part of it had been taken originally from an Act passed in Canada and acme of the States of America. The Works Statement. ' Mr Seddon informs me that the Works Statement will not be brought down till next week. The Agent'Generalehlp. Although Ministers still deny that the Agent Generalship is settled, it is significant (hat both sides are making preparations for an election campaign in Christchurch. Mr Montgomery, a son of the former member for Akaroa, is mentioned as the most likely candidate in the Government interest, and Mr J. S. Smith, who stood at the last election, or Mr L. Cohen, barrister, of Christohoroh, on the Opposition ticket. End of the Session. Ministers say that unless the unforeseen happens the session will terminate about Friday, the 19th inst. The Council meets on Mondays in future, showing that the end is rapidly approaching. Tbe Freehold Qualification. When the Electoral Bill reaches the Council the clause providing for the recognition of the property qualification will be reinstated. A Ground for Disagreement. The Council yesterday amended tbe Selectors’ Land Revaluation Act by bringing all pastoral tenants within its operations, a proposal which the House is not likely to accept. The Opposition Leadership. The Opposition have deferred till Tuesday the appointment of a leader, bat an understanding arrived at is that the choice shall fall on Mr Rolleston. Signs of a Reaction. A number of Government supporters are urging Ministers to rescind the resolution of censnre passed on Mr Bryce, so that he may again re-enter the political arena. Mr M’Kenzle’s Credibility Put to the Test. I have been shown an uncorrected * Hansard ’ proof of list Thursday morning’s debate. On tbe motion for the committal of the Land Bill the Minister of Lands is thas reported“ What I said in this House 1 am prepared to say again, and if the secrets of this matter were revealed to tbe House they would not bo to hie (Mr Richardson’s) credit.” This confirms my note of the proceedings, which culminated in the “scene” which brought about Mr Bryce’s resignation, and are the words which the Hon. John M'Kenzle subsequently denied having used. On being urged by Mr Speaker to make a withdrawal of them, tbe Minister of Lands said : The only thing I withdraw is this—that the hon. gqptleman (Mr R. Campbell) on making the statement that he had 'squared’ the hon. member was not correct.” The Women’s Franchise. The second reading of the Female Suffrage Bill in the Council u fixed for Wednesday. Mr Shrimski suggested that women should be given a seat la that Chamber.