WELLINGTON ITEMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9510, 4 September 1891, Page 5

WELLINGTON ITEMS.

[from our own correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Sept 3. POLLING DAT. On the question of making polling day a public holiday, there was a brisk discussion. Mr Earnshaw spoke strongly in favour, aud Mr Duthie thought it quite needless and prejudicial to employers. Captain Russell asked whetherincaseof threatening weather, and a large harvest, farmers were to be compelled to leave their work. Mr Fish asked if the Government Railways employeeswera to have the holiday. He held it unfair if tho men lost money, and equally unfair if the Colony bad to pay them a day’s wage for doing nothing. Speaking for Dunedin, he thought the holiday was a concession which men did not want. Mr T. Mackenzie said the Returning Officers, poll clerks, and policemen were entitled to participate in the liolidiy. Mr Tanner pointed out that some holidays are compulsory already, such as the Prince cf Wales’ birthday. While they might all hold' their own opinions about gambling (observed the hon member slyly), they had to keep this holiday. The opposition to the holiday was an opposition to granting workmen an opportunity to vote. (Cries of " Oh, oh.”) Yes, he was sure of it; he knew it. He would say more, but believed the labour members had conducted themselves hitherto better than the others, and he wanted to maintain their reputation. The House divided on the clause : Ayes 24, noes 17. The clause was retained. THE UPPER HOUSE. A singular calm prevails in the lobbies. Many members are getting jaded, but there is also an impression abroad that trouble with the Upper House is about to arise. They have disfigured the Factories Bill, are going to kick the Shop Hours Bill out altogether, and it is understood that tho Laud Bill will not be recognised by its parent after it gets out of tbe Nipper House. MISCELLANEOUS. Tho Live Stock Committee to-day passed the Small Birds Bill, and introduced an additional clause giving power to local bodies to I'jvy a rate cf threefarthings of thoir 'own accord. Tbo Committee of tbe Upper House has passed the Emmie Bill, and recommends that it should ba proceeded with. The Government will agree to the amendment of the Female Suffrage Bill, to postpone its?, operation till January 1, 1894, two years and four months hence. The Hon, W. P. Reeves informs me that the Press, Association report of his reply to the deputation as to making Labour Day a holiday was totally incorrect. JOURNALISTIC. I omitted last evening to send you what I thuifc is due to the profession, a brief expkma.tion of tho circumstances attending the originating of the Journalistic Institute* 1 sea our Christchurch brethren are protesting against the apparent centralising of the Institute in Wellington, and th e Wellington personnel of tho Council. T ffia is very much regretted by tho promoters, who really have no intention whatever of making the affair merely local and no design of giving the Wellington branch any superior status. Opportunity [ was taken of the presence of an unusual number of pressmen here from various parts of tho Colony to initiate the Institute, and a Council was formed with tho concurrence of all who were present. This, however, is in reality a Provisional Committee, authorised to set the Institute going in tho various centres. Tho Institute when formed will consist of the united branches, of which tho Wellington branch will be one, with no more right or powers than any of tho others. Every district President will be a member of tbe Council. I hone this explanation may serve to dissipate any idea of the Wellington branch being or desiring to bo autocratic. Tho election of a President and officers was postponed for a year, as the meeting was much, divided as to choice of men.

[from a correspondent.] WOMAN FRANCHISE. The woman’s franchise question was carried by twenty-seven to twenty-two, and if wa add the nine pairs to each side the division was 36 to 31. Great exertions were used on both sides during the day to keep wanderers up to the mark. The result was received with great enthusiasm by the opponents of tho device to keep promises in the letter aud break them in the spirit. The Bill was immediately afterwards killed by an amendment proposed by its most active enemies, and supported by a few mis-led friends. Mr Fish is now making an oration that will, no doubt, help the Bill a little lathe Upper House.