WHERE THE FAULT THIS TIME?

Evening Star, Issue 9185, 14 July 1893, Page 4

WHERE THE FAULT THIS TIME?

If the earnest in their expressed determination to give women the franohise at the approaching General Election, nothing would have been heard of the Premiers Representatidn Amendment Bill. He has not only introduced it, however, but he has pressed it on through all its stages. Read a second time on Wednesday, it made its appearance again on the following night, was rushed through committee, read a third time, and passed. No doubt to-morrow it will go before the Council, and the state of parties there since the addition of the twelve new members is likely to ensure the Government a final Bucoess. Our opinion on the subjeot of the women's franchise is that the question should have been left open for the constituencies to decide at the General Election. A declaration of that: kind by the Government would at least have had the merit of being fair and straightforward; but there is something excessively sneaking, not to say dishonest, in promising the concession during the recess, blaming the Legislative Council for having compelled the Council to throw over the Bill last year, and then bringing it in again this session, but taking very good care that tbe alteration shall be virtually inoperative for another three years. The Government are playing this double game because, whilst they rather dread the woman's franchise, many of their supporters are in favor of granting it, and it was therefore necessary to pretend to bring about the change and at the same time to do something to withhold it, or at all events postpone it. "—' Timaru Herald.'