THE ELECTORAL BILL BEFORE THE COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 8925, 8 September 1892, Page 4

THE ELECTORAL BILL BEFORE THE COUNCIL.

THE SECOND READING AFFIRMED,

IFBOM OUB PARLIAMENTARY REPORTER,]

WELLINGTON, September 7,

The debate on the seoond reading of the Electoral Bill was continued in tho Legislative Council yesterday afternoon.

The Hon. W. D. Stewart saw no reason why one-half of the population should exclude the other half from exercising a voice in the administration of the laws by whioh they were all governed. He pointed out how in various directions women were coming to the front in the arts, industries, and science, and were leading lives of great usefulness. He believed that this colony was ripe for the solution of the question of the enfranchisement of woman. Women had labored and were still laboring under great disabilities. He submitted that where one person had influence it should be accompanied by ordinary responsibilities of citizenship, and that could not be done without enfranchisement. In extending the franchise to women New Zealand would be in the van of progress, liberty, and j notice. It was a reproach to our civilisation that women had been so loDg excluded from exercising the ordinary rights of citizenship. It was said: Why should women be mixed up in the hurly-burly of politics ? But he asked : Why should women be mixed up in the hurly-burly of life, aud be compelled to earn their own liviog? He thought it unfortunate that this great reform should be included in the Electoral Bill, which might meet its fate on some principle other than that of female suffrage. The Council, in passing this Bill, ought to pay a tribute to Sir John Hall, who had for years worked so nobly, zealously, and ably for this great principle. The Hon. Mr Reynolds thought that tho Bill should include the freehold qualification as it stands in the present law, thus enabling a person to vote wherever he liked, provided that ho had the necessary qualification. Opposition to the female suffrage might be softened down if members would agree to insert a clause limiting its operation for two Parliaments (six years), so that it might be accepted as an experiment. It was utterly wrong that paupers by their enfranchisement should be the masters of those who supplied them with the necessaries of life. He did not see why the electoral right system given to seamen, shearers, and commercial travellers should not be extended to all classes of the community. Every effort should be made to get the Bill passed this session. The Hon. Mr Barnicoat spoke warmly in favor of the female franchise movement, contending that there were 44,411 females in the colony who were bread-winners, and they were justly entitled to the franchise. He believed that there was a very strong desire on the part of the women that they should be enfranchised.

The Hon. Captain Morris said that the proposal meant a very momentous step in the history of the colony, inasmuch as we should be doubling the number of the electors. He thought that such a tremendous change should not be made without some warning to the colony. The question bad never been before the electors except aa a matter of amusement, though he granted that they now began to look upon it more seriously. He advocated further delay, and declined to express any opinion as to the good or evil of the proposed reform. He announced his intention of voting against it. The Hon. Mr Hart was also of opinion that this matter should not be passed until it had been before the constituencies. If the Bill were to establish the principle of one-man-one-vote, the city electorates should be divided. It was an absurdity that a thriftless man, without a f arthiDg to his name, should have votes for three men ; whilst a man who, by self-denial and industry, had acquired his property, waa only allowed one vote in the country. The Hon. Dr Pollen thought that the time to discuss this question was when the Bill got into committee. He was glad that the Attorney-General had agreed to sacrifice his principles to pirty upon the aftar of purity, and was now willing to support the female franchise, whioh he had no doubt would be passed into law this session. When the clause was dealt with in committee he, in his humble way, would be found " upon the side of the angels," The Hon. Mr Taiaroa did not wish at present to say whether or not he would support the Bill, but had an objeotion to it at present because Maori women were not given the right to vote for Maori members, and because the Governor was given the power to alter the boundaries of Native districts.

Sir P. A. Buckley, in reply, congratulated the Council upon the reception which the Bill had received. The Bill was then read a second time and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee.