PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8669, 11 September 1891, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

[by. TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION,

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Thursday.

The Council met at half-past two p.m.

AUCKLAND ELECTRIC LIGHTING, ■The Select Committee on the Auckland Meetric Lighting Bill recommended that the Bill should proceed without amendment.

TllE workmen's LIEN BILL. Mr. Fulton brought up the report of the Labour Bills Crmmittee on the Workmen's Lien Bill. . The Committee reported that the Bill was in their opinion unworkable, and calculated toput a stop to contract work. The Committee further reported that the title was a misnomer, and that the Bill was utterly impracticable ; they further recommend the Bill should proceed with the amendments attached. The Bill, on the motion of the Colonial Secretary, was ordered to be committed next day.

THE land BILL. The report of the Waste Lands Committee on the Land Bill was .brought up with numerous amendments. The Committee recommended that the Bill, as amended, should proceed.

rl FEMALE SUFFRAGE. Ihe debate on the second reading of the Female Suffrage Bill, to which an amendment had been proposed by Mr. Bowen that the Hill be read a second time that day six months, was {resinned by Mr. Wilson, who supported the Bill. He favoured any measure which would put women on the commission of the peace, making them eligible to sit in Parliament, and their appointment to inspectorships underjthe Factories Act Bill.'' If women sat on the Bench he was convinced the Licensing Act would bo carried out in its entirety, and brutal exhibitions such as cockfighting would be stopped. Mr. Shrimski : How about football ? Mr. Wilson concluded by stating his indention of supporting the Bill, which, if it wore not passed during the present session, would assuredly pass before long. The Colonial Secretary believed that by giving woman the right to vote they were dragging her out of her proper sphere. It would have been far better, he thought, had the lion, gentleman who had introduced the Bill endeavoured to raise the status of women outside the political arena. In some of the States of America female suffrage had been introduced, but in some instances the Acts had been repealed,and in the remaining cases the Legislature had been invoked by women themselves to repeal the Act. Referring to the proposition to place women in Parliamnt, lie said it would not only mean their occupying seats in the House of Representatives, for most assuredly, if they got into the other Chamber, they would not rest content till they occupied seats in the Legislative Council, and then what would happen? He (Mr. Buckley) was not, perhaps, more susceptible than other men, but he was free to acknowledge that if he had to move a motion, and was opposed by an angelic honorable lady opposite, ho should give in. In fact, he knew he would collapse. In all seriousness, however, lie should, if the Bill passed, advocate that women should bo eligible for seats in the Council. Mr. Walker, asoneof the very few bachelor members of the Council, oppose the Bill, because lie did not think woman's province was to debate politics, and he felt assured that dissensions would arise in households whenever politics were brought on the tapis. Possibly, if only staid matrons were allowed to enter Parliament, the theory contained in the Bill might be made practicable; but they must not shut their eyes to the fact that they would open the doors of the Legislature to youn? and charming girls, and sweet young lady graduates, anil if this came to pass he feared to think of the consequences. He intended to oppose the Bill. Mr. Peacock entered his protest to the Bill, and in the course of a decidedly humourous speech, drew graphic pictures of what the consequences might be to the country, supposing lion, gentlemen had to look for their wives, who,; possibly, might be lion, ladies, passing their time in the smoking or dining-room at Bellamy's, or in the lobbies of the Houses of Parliament.

Mr. Barnicoat opposed the Bill chiefly on the score that women would be unsexed if they entered the arena of politics. Dr. Grace said he spoke with considerable amount of diffidence on the provisions of the Bill. He felt assured, if women were torn from the domestic circle, it would have the effect of deteriorating the human race. He'begged the Council to regard their own experiences in political life. Men started in their political life with bright and noble aspirations, but they soon, alas too soon, became disillusionised and sunk to continued dpuhters if nothing worse, and so it would be in the case of women. If the franchiso were conferred upon them they would become doubters in everything good, and if that came to pass what a lamentable coiulidition of affairs, domestic and political, would inevitably come to pass. All divinities • possessed clay feet, and hence it was that women wore long dresses, but drag women from their domestic pedestal and shrine and then plainly would the feet of clay be seen. Purified as women have been purified in past ages by the chivalry of man he felt assured that if women were dragged down to the turbid stream of politics they would lose their present enviable social status. . Mr. Williams, believin gas lie did that the question should be relegated to the county before it was decided by the Legislature, expressed his intention of voting for the amendment of Mr. Bowen. Mr. McLean opposed the Bill which he believed had been brought down for purely party purposes. Ho was one of those who favoured reforms, and if he thought it was the desire of the people that the measure should become law he would be prepared to assist in pushing it through during the present session, but as he did not believe the Bill was asked for he should vote against it. Rut whilst saying this he should like to see the measure read a second time and left in that stage. On a division the motion for the second reading was lost by 15 to 17. Ayes.—Acland, Baillie, Barnicoat, Fulton, Holmes, Johnston, Kenny, Martin, McLean, Ormond, Pharazyn, Pollen, Steward, Reynolds, Wilson. Noes.—Bonar, Bowen, Buckley, Dignan, Grace, Hart, Mantell, Millar, Peacock, Shrimski. Swanson, Taiaroa, Walker, Waliawaha, Wliitmore, Wliyte, Williams.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HILL. The committee appointed to draw up the reasons for the Council disagreeing with the amendments of the House in the Legislative Council Bill, brought up the following report " Clause 2 : Persons of age of 21 years cannot possess the experience either political or otherwise necessary to qualify them for the position of a Legislative Councillor. Clause 3: The principal objection to the existing law was that an appointment for life entailed the holding of a seat after a councillor had become mentally or physically -incapable of discharging his duties. The reduction of the term from ten to seven years tends to give the Council more of a party character, and thus to affect the impartiality which is the essential requisite of a revising chamber. _ The amendment in the second paragraph is of a retrospective element, and partial in its application. Clause 7 : The responsibility for the proper conduct of , its proceedings rests with the Council itself, the-election of Speaker should therefore be in its own hands. Clause 10: The appointments of members to the Legislative Council is a prerogative, of the Crown, sanctioned by the Constitution Act, and as no specific authority is given by amending Acts to alter or limit the existing power, it may be held to be ultra vires of the Assembly to act as now proposed." The reasons will be considered to-morrow.

dentists' dill. The Dentists Act Amendment Bill was read a third time and passed. THE MINING HILL. The Mining Bill was further considered in committee, and a number of amendments, all of an inconsequential or verbal character, were agreed to, and the Bill as amended was reported. POST OFFICE KILT,. The Colonial Secretary moved the second reading of the Post Ofliee Acts Amendment Bill, which he explained was designed to enable the people of New Zealand to send letters for Id and newspapers for -yd. The Government anticipated that for a year or two the Government would lose slightly, but us a rule all reforms involved loss. Mr. Stevens expressed a hope that the Colonial Secretary when replying would state the estimated amount the Government would lose by the introduction of the Bill. _ Mr. Whyte pointed out that the concession proposed bv the Government really only benefited the commercial classes, and as the country was determined that economy should be the order of the day, he thought the Bill should be rejected. People were calling out for work, and in a great many instances were asking for bread. The innovation would cost the colony £60,000 per annum, and in the present state of the finances lie did not think the country could stand it. As an amendment he moved that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. On the motion of Mr. McLean the debate was adjourned till next day. ELECTORAL BILL. The Electoral Bill was committed. Clause 3 was passed. _ The Council rose at five p.m. The Council resumed at half past seven. The Electoral Bill was taken in committee. A new clause was inserted on the motion of Dr. Grace, providing for both freehold and leasehold qualifications.

Clause 6 was amended, in the direction of making residential (nullification six months' residence in the district instead of one month, and the proviso iii the same clause setting out that no person shall be registered in more than one district was struck out by 18 to 5. The Colonial Secretary said that the amendment just carried practically struck at the principle of the one man one vote, and ho therefore moved that progress be reported. This was agreed to on the casting vote of the Chairman.

loans to LOCAL BODIES. The Government Loans to Local Bodies Bill passed through committee without amendment.

LAW PRACTITIONERS BILL. On the motion for the second reading of the Law Practitioners Bill, . Mr. Stewart moved an amendment, that the Bill be read a second time that day three months, which was carried by 18 to 9. The Bill was thereby killed. The Council rose at halt-past nine.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday. THE" estimates. After the Telegraph Office closed_ this morning the total Education vote (£369,776) was agreed to without alteration._ The Lunacy and Charitable Aid Departmental vote (£40,918) was agreed to. Progress was reported, and the House rose at 2.5 a.m. The House met at half-past two p.m. FREE PASSAGES TO VOLUNTEERS. In answer to Sir John Hall, Air. Skddon said that in the present circumstances of the colony the Government could not afford to grant free passages by steamer to competitors at the annual meetings of the New Zealand Rifle Absociation, but he thought it was a fair thing to ask that free railway passes should be {'ranted to the men, and he should make a recommendation to that effect to the Railway Commissioners. THE AGENCY-GENERAL. Replying to Mr. Fisher, Mr. Ballance said power was given by the Public Revenues Act to appoint an acting Agent-General, so that no difficulty would occur owing to the interregnum between the resignation of the present Agent-General and the appointment of his successor. In reply to Mr. Rolleston, Mr. Ballance said he could assure the House that the successor to Sir F. D. Bell had not yet been chosen by the Government. order OP business. Mr. Ballance announced that Ministers intended to proceed with the following Bills this sessionGreymoutli Harbour Loan, Public Trust Office, Stamp Acts Amendment, Payment of Members, Coal Mines, Small Birds Nuisance, Selectors Lands Revaluation, Land for Settlement, Municipal Corporations, Borough Reserves, Private Tramways, aval and Military Settlers, Light from Crown Lands Restriction, Rabbit Nuisance, School Committees Election, and Counties Amendment Act. The Government had decided to hold over the Local Authorities Accounts and the Audit Bill till next year, but they would proceed with the Libel Bill if time permitted. With regard to the Bankruptcy Bill, he was informed it would go through in two or three hours, and if that were so the Government would give facilities for its passing its remaining stages. As to the Civil Service Bill, Ministers had received such _a_ large number of amendments from the Civil Service Association that they had not had time to consider them, and the Bill would -therefore have to stand over. The New Zealand Institute of Surveyors Bill, a private measure brought in by Mr. Richardson, would be taken up by the Government, who would endeavour to pass it through the Houte. The Indecent Advertisements Bill, another private measure, might also be taken charge of by the Government. There were grave constitutional reasons why the Allen Disqualification Removal Bill should not be passed. As to the date on which the House should be prorogued, that depended greatly on the action of the Opposition for the remainder of the session,

native lands. On the motion of Mr. Rees a special committee was set up to consider the provisions of a Bill to be introduced to deal with certain pressing matters in relation to Native Lands. The House rose at half-past five p.m. The House resumed at half-past seven p.m. the HOUSE AND THE council. It was decided to disagree with amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Dentists Bill and Legislative Council Bill, and committees were appointed to draw up reasons for disagreement.

bill passed. The Greymoutli Harbour Board Loan Bill was read a third time and passed.

PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE. The Public Trust Office Act Amendment Bill was considered in committee. Clause .'J, public trustee to hold office at pleasure. Mr. Roij.kston* thought that the change brought about by this clause was an extremely wrong one, and he contended if public trustee were made subservient to the Ministry of the davit would destroy his independence altogether. Mr. Ballancetook quite a different view, and held that if the public trustee were made responsible to the Government it would be decidedly to the advantage of the public service. After considerable discussion the clause passed without alteration. The' Bill was ordered to be reported with amendments.

SMALL birds nuisance. The Small Birds Nuisance Bill was committed, and went through with amendments made by the Stock Committee. THE ST A MI'S ACT "AMENDMENT BILL. The House went into Committee on the ! Stamps Act Amendment Bill, Clause 2 : Certaiu passenger tickets liable to duty as receipts. An addition was made to the clause enabling steam boat companies to compound for a yearly stain]) duty on tickets sold over £'2. Clause o : Duty on takings of totalisators, Sir John Ham, moved that the totalisator tax should not take effect till 31st March, 1892, so as not to interfere with the receipts of the jockey clubs for this year. Mr. Ballasok opposed the amendment, and said the Government had announced their intention of imposing this tax in June last, and the racing clubs had therefore received ample warning.that the tax would be imposed. . The amendment was lost on the voices, as also was another amendment that the tax should not bo imposed till 31st December next. Mr. Hutchison (Dimedin) moved That the whole clause referring to the totalisator tax be struck out." Sir George Gufa' supported the amendment, as lie felt it was wrong to raise revenue from gambling. Sir .John Hall thought the totalisator really diminished gambling, and the machine was to be preferred to bookmakers. Mr. Reeves would be willing to vote for a higher tax than that now proposed in order to decrease the gambling evil. Mr. Palmer thought the totalisators were meant to benefit chiefly the metropolitan clubs, who exercised very arbitrary powers towards the smaller clubs. _ , ' Captain Russell said all the metropolitan clubs had to do was to see that the smaller clubs conformed to the rules of racing. As to the Bill itself, he thought it was a pity that the Colonial Treasurer, for the sake of getting revenue should impose a tax of this kind. He did not think it was a wise provision to tax gambling at all. The amendment was lost by 39 to 16. Clause 5, regulations may be made providing for collection of duty. Mr. Palmer moved that the Governor may make regulations also for granting permission to use the totalisator.

Agreed to. No other material amendments were made.

PAYMENT OP MEMBERS. The Payment of Members Bill was committed. Clause 4 : Annual sum payable to members of General Assembly. A motion by Mr. R. Thompson that the honorarium for members of the Legislative Council be. £100, instead of £150, as proposed by the Bill, was lost by 152 to 25. 'Mr. Duncan moved, " That the payment of members of the House of Representatives be £210 per annum, instead of £240, as provided in the Bill." Sir George Grey moved, " That the sum be £150 per annum," which was negatived by 32 to 23. (Left sitting at 2 a.m.)