WOMEN’S RIGHTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18220, 7 October 1919, Page 8

WOMEN’S RIGHTS.

COUNCIL VERSUS HOUSE. [From Orra CoauEsroNDENT.] WELLINGTON. October 6. Tho House of Representatives received a report to-iiignt that the Legislative Council had passed the Women’s Parliamentary Rights Bill with amendments. Mr Massey promptly moved to disagree with the amendments. Mr M’Combs congratulated tho Prime Minister on refusing to agree to the Council’s amendments, because he had promised the New Zealand women full parliamentary rights and this proposal was being infringed by the Council. New Zealand’s Constitution provided that Bills may originate in either House, except a money Bill, which could only originate in the House of Representatives. Mr Speaker interrupted Mr M’Coinbs’s discussion of the constitutional position to explain that there was nothing before the House relating to privilege. The Prime Minister’s motion was carried, and a committee, comprising Mr Massey, Dr Newman and Mr M’Combs, was appointed to draw up reasons for disagreement. Later in the sitting the Prime Minister brought up tho reasons of the committee for disagreeing with tho Legislative Council’s amendment. The reason given was that tho Bill, if passed as amended, would create an anomaly in tho electoral system, by giving women seats in tho Lower House bub not in the Council.

Sir Joseph Ward asked the Prime Minister where we woro going to get to over this matter. Tho jxjsition was delicate, because he understood that if the Houses failed to agree the Bill would be killed and ho, for one, wanted to sco women granted full electoral rights.) Mr Massey said that- Sir Joseph Ward had stated the position correctly up to a certain point. The position was somewhat peculiar inasmuch ns when the Legislative Council Reform Act came into force, as he believed it must very soon, women would havo tho right to election though they would not have tho right to nomination under this Bill if passed as it stood. Sir Joseph Ward said he thought they should have the right to nomination.. K£r Massey said a conference would be asked for and ho thought it would work out all right. He moved that the reasons should be agreed with. The motion was carried.