WOMEN'S FRANCHISE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9564, 21 October 1892, Page 2

WOMEN'S FRANCHISE.

(Pee United Press Association.)

Christchuhch, October 20,

At a well-attended meeting held in Christchurch under the auspices of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, Mr Alfred Saunders, M.H.R., moved, and Sir John Hall seconded —" That the action of the Government in electing to reject the whole of the Electoral Bill rather than accept the unimportant amendments finally insisted upon by the Legislative Council is very much to be regretted, and does not appear to this meeting consistent with any earnest desire to secure the boon that was so evidently placed within their immediate reach." An amendment was proposed by Mr W. Ensorn, president of the Canterbury Liberal Association —" That in the opinion of this meeting the Government did quite right in dropping the Electoral Bill, and regrets the amendments added by the Legislative Council, and desires | the Government to briug the bill forward early ! next session in its original uumutilated form, to enable it to pass into law in time for the next general election." This was carried by a very large majority. The Rev. J. O'Brien Hoare moved—"That in the opinion of this meeting the members of the House of Representatives who voted for the rejection of the bill in consequence of the amendments finally insisted upon by the Legislative Council lost an opportunity of securing women's franchise." This was seconded by Mr A. W. Beaven. An amendment, moved by Mr Blackburue|and seconded by Mr G. W. Russell—'' That no opportunity for obtaining women's franchise ought to avail s which endangers the principles of the secrecy of ballot"—was carried without dissent. Messrs W. W. Tanner and E. Sandford, M.H.R's, and the Rev. C. H. Bradbury and others spoke strongly in support of the action of the Government in refusing the bill with the amendments, and the meeting, which had been very enthusiastic in their favour, closed.