PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17276, 27 September 1919, Page 10

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WOMEN'S RIGHTS BILL.

VERY FAVOURABLE RECEPTION.

MEASURE PASSES ALL STAGES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Friday. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. The Minister for Defence, Sir James Allen, laid on the table a return showing the progress of the vocational training of soldiers in various institutions. The total number of soldiers being trained was 1457.. The second reading of the Official Appointments and Documents Bill was moved fey Sir James Allen, who explained that the Bill was intended to relieve the Governor-General of & great deal of formal work in connection with public, appointments. The Bill was read a second time and passed the committee stages unamended. Chattels Transfer Act. The Hon. J. B. Hine moved the second reading of tre Chattels Transfer Act Amendment Bill as passed by the Legislative Council. , He explained that the Bill proposed to amend the third schedule of" the principal Act by omitting paragraph four. Section two of the principal Act was also amended by exempting certain documents from the definition of " instrument."

The Leader of, the Opposition, _ Sir Joseph Ward, asked the Prime Minister not to force this Bill through at one sitting as he proposed, because he had some doubt as to whether ' the Bill did not take away the opportunity of the individual to ascertain the financial position of some other person indebted to a bank or company who might be asking credit from others. He also asked what the position was of a mortgagee under the Mortgages Extension Act, as he bad heard of the case of a person who was being asked to pay up a mortgage or renew it at an increased rate of interest.

Mr. Massey promised not to ask the House to pass the Bill through all its stages. The position of mortgagees had been secured.

The Bill was read a second time, and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. The Party Walls Bill. The Hon. J. B. Hine moved the second reading of the Public Authorities (Party Wa.l) Empowering Bill, as passed by the Legislative Council. The Bill enabled public authorities to enter into agreements in regard to party walla power, which they did not now possess. Sir Joseph Ward thought the retrospective powers granted in clause 5 of the Bill most dangerous. Mr. Massey said that if there was any doubt as to the meaning of the Bill it rOught to go to the Statutes Revision Committee, and he would agree to that course. The Bill was read a second time and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee. Women in Parliament. Mr. Massey moved the second reading of the Worn ens' Parliamentary Eights Bill. He said the Bill had only one operative clause, removing the disability against women from becoming candidates for Parliament, and being elected if the electors so desired. He had always been in favour of granting this privilege, so soon as women asked for it, and he thought the entrance of women into Parliament would have a steadying effect. Sir Joseph Ward said the war had altered the fable aspect of the position, so far as women were concerned, throughout the world, and more particularly in the Old Country. There were many | women in New Zealand who would repreI sent their fellow beings in Parliament as ! well as men.

Views of Members. The debate was continued at 7.30 p.m. by Mr._ C. E. Statham (Dunedin Central), who said he was prepared to support the Bill. Mr. H. E. Holland (Grey) said this was one of the rare' occasions on which the Labour Party found itself in. accordance with the government.

Mr. C. J. Parr (Eden) said the House was bound, to complete the logical consequences of existing legislation. He felt sure there would be wider ' sympathy shown ir the spirit of our legislation as the result of the influence of women in the House.

Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton) congratulated the Prime Minister on the Bui. Mr. R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) suggested that there should be four additional seats createdtwo in the North and two in the South Island which women only would be eligible. That would at once ensure the entry of at least four women into the House. He also suggested that the Government should nominate one or two women to the Legislative Council.

Mr. L. M. Isiffc (Chrfetchurch North) and Dr. A. K. Newman (Wellington East) supported the Bill. Sir John Findlay (Hawke's Bay) said he did not expect women would find their way into Parliament for a number of years, but when they were admitted our progress would be more rational and more beneficent than it had been under the exclusive regime of men. After other members had spoken in favour of the Bill, the second reading was agreed to on the voices. Mr. Massey asked the House to put it through all its stages. This was done in a few minutes and the Bill was passed. Other Measures Considered. The Public Trust Office Bill (Hon. J. G. Coatea) making provision for the appointment of local deputies of the Public Trustee was read a second time. The second reading of the Police Force Amendment Bill was moved by Mr. Massey. Mr. T. M. Wilford (Hutt) said the idea of the Bill was to allow the Government to bring the force up to full strength by the temporary appointment of men over the age of admission. At a time of shortage this was essential. Mr. J. P. Luke (Wellington North) sunnctted the Bill.

Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington Central) said it was just possible the better way of increasing the strength of the force was by improving the conditions. Mr. C. H. Poole (Auckland West) thought the Bill would have the support of the members of the force itself. The Bill was read a second time. Sir James Allen moved the second readies of the Education Amendment Bill pro fr-rirt. in oHer that it be referred to the r ' -on Committee. This was agreed

Su .Viiliam Fraser moved the second reading of the Manawatu Gorge Road and Bridge Bill. The Bill was read a second time. The House went into committee on the Public Trust Office Amendment Bill, which was reported without amendment' and was read a third time and passed. The House rose at 11.25 p.m. until 7.30 p.m. on Monday. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. BOARD OF TRADE BILL. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Kauri Gum Industry Amendment Bill and the Auckland University College Site Bill were read a first time. ° The debate upon the motion to commit the Board of Trade Bill was continued b # v Sir Walter Buchanan. Several members spoke, and the Bill was then committed. It was reported with minor amendments. The Council rose at 5.20 p.m.