WOMAN SUFFRAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9293, 31 August 1893, Page 5

WOMAN SUFFRAGE.

A VICTORY IN THE COUNCIL.

A HOSTILE AMENDMENT DEFEATED.

[HIT TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL, CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Wednesday. The supporters of woman suffrage scored their first victory in the Upper House today, After the leasehold qualification had been sustained on division, Sir George Whitmore came to the crux of the ques- I tion by stating his intention to move an amendment of the line " person includes woman" by striking out the word includes, and substitute therefore the words dots not include. He reaffirmed his conviction that i the views of the women of the country had j nob been manifested, and above all things he insisted that the franchise of the country should not be doubled until the mandate of the people had been ascertained. Then Mr. Bowen thought it would be invidious to kill thea?pirationsof thefetnalefranchisersin the way suggested. Mr. Shrimski was understood to say that certain bold, bad men had for their own dark purposes gone round the country getting up the so-called petitions. Mr. Launcelot Walker thought the most ardent supporters of woman franchise would not urge that the worst class of women should have the vote. If the Bill was passed the shrieking sisterhood would contain power and would abuse it. Sir George Whitmore, returning to the charge, said the principal supporters of the measure were designing persons who were working the movement for their own selfish ends. Mr. Rigg said that if this clause was carried he wouid nob only support the rest of the Bill in its integrity, but he should move an amendment to give the women a seat in the Legislature. Mr. Feldwick was suro the women of Invorcargill viewed the question with open or secret abhorrence. His experience was that the ladies were against the proposal in Southland. The plain duty of the Council was to remib_ the question to the constituencies, and if it was so remitted he was confident that those candidates who supported it would not see the legislature again. Mr. Bowen would just like to ask one question, what was the meaning of this feverish hasto? If the promoters of this movement were confident that the country was behind them, why was it tried to pass this measure in the way of surprise legislation? Dr. Grace drew a fearful picture of a legislature of impoverished and unworthy men, who, returned by tho woman vote, would fall the natural prey of syndicates, banks, shipping companies, and other combinations of capital and privilege, to destroy the well-being of the State. Then, at last, the question was put, and the silence was only broken by the quiet voice of tho clerk, as he called the names of councillors for their aye or no, and noted their decorous responses, and when Mr. Reynolds said aye, and it was seem that Tairoa was not in his place, it was apparent that the political woman had won. The division list will be found elsewhere. Other amendments are contemplated, and the electors' right danger is yet ahead. Sir Patrick Buckley" has been most emphatic in his no-surrender declaration this evening, and there are now signs that the foes of tho political woman arc losing heart. SIR J. HAM, ON" THE SITUATION. Tho earliest intimation of the first victory to women's franchise received in tho Lower House was the entry of Sir J. Hall, whoso delighted expression told all of the victory. Mr. Buck land was speaking on the Liquor Bill at tho time, but the buzz of conversation stopped him for some minutes. Sir John afterwards favoured mo with his opinion on the situation. "lb cannot," he remarked, " be said that women's franchise is quite safe, but I fully believe ib will pass. One or two Councillors may insist on electors' rights, and if they are nob successful may then endeavour to excise the women's vote, bub on the other hand several of those who votedagainstthe women'sclause have declared that if it was carried, they would not lend themselves to attempts to qualify or set it aside by indirect means i moreover, if the electoral right should by any possibility bo inserted, the House would certainly refuse to agree to it. It is most unlikely the Council would again carry their opposition so far as to wreck the whole Electoral Bill, a LITTM'. scexe. The serene atmosphere of the Council was this evening somewhat, agitated by the Hon. W. ('. Walker, who, being apparently irritated at what he seemed to think chearrogant demeanour of the Colonial Secretary in hi* expressed determination not to accept or do aught but oppose any amendments on the Electoral Bill, said his conduct was unconstitutional and extraordinary in telling them that the Bill must be carried clause by clause, and lino by line, and generally delivere 1 himself of such vigorous and adverse criticism that Sir Patrick, with increasing irritation, more than once protested. Ho was surprised at such language and conduct, and if the hon. gentleman persisted he must take the consequences. But Mr. Walker did persist, and then the knight, with mingled dignity and anger, said if the chairman would not stop the offending member he (Sir Patrick) would move that the Speaker resume his seat to deal just and condign punishment upon the heterodox senator. However, with a Parthian shot at the knight, Mr. Walker resumed his seat, and the incident closed.