WOMEN’S RIGHTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18218, 4 October 1919, Page 8

WOMEN’S RIGHTS.

AMENDED BILL PASSES COUNCIL. [Per Press Association.] '■ ■ WELLINGTON, October 3. In tho Legislative Council this afternoon, at his own request, tho Hon JMacGregor’s notice of motion that the ruling of the Speaker in refusing an amendment proposed by the member on the second reading of the \Vonion’s Parliamentary Bights Bill be dissented from, was discharged from the Order Paper. Sir Francis Bell moved the third reading of the Bill. Tho Hon J. M. Paul expressed tho opinion that tho Council by passing the Legislative Council Act, 1914, had said that as soon as the House of Representatives admitted women, so soon would tho Council admit, either by nomination or by election, therefore the Government ought to introduce into the Council immediately a measure to give effect to this promise. Tho Hon W. Earnshaw said that as tho Government had no mandate from tho people on the subject, sucli a radical change to the Constitution should not have been introduced yet. The Hon Te Hcu Heu Tukino opposed tho Bill as being against the traditions of his race. _ ~ Sir Frauds Bell, replying to Dir Paul s Contention, said that the latter had misunderstood tho clause of the Legislative Coundl Act he had quoted. The clause referred to set forth that in given circumstances women should be eligible for nomination and election, r.ot, nomination or election, to the Council. Nomination was not used col-loquially-in the clause to mean “ appointment,” but in its proper meaning of nomination prior to election. The Legislative Council Act, 1914, containing tho clause, he also reniinded members, was not yet operative, and was pot to be operative until one year after a proclamation issued by the UovernorGeneral. . , , .. Tho third rending was earned by 1J to 3, and the Bill as passed.

Tho secretary of the National Council of Women in Christchurch yesterday received the following telegram from Mr J. M’Combs, M.P.“ Under the legislative Council Act of 1914- when and so soon as women ire eligible for election to tho House of Representatives, they shall be eligible also for nomination and election to the Legislative Council.” Mr James M’Combs, M-P., has received the following telegram from the secretary of tho National Council of Women: — “National Council of Women thanks vou for consistent and enthusiastic support of women’s parliamentary rights.”