THE COMMONWEALTH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2516, 4 June 1902, Page 25

THE COMMONWEALTH.

THE FRANCHISE BILL.

THE SENATE AND THE GOVERN-

MENT.

MELBOURNE, May 30.

The Senate passed the House of Representatives.' amendments to the Franchise Bill, with the exception of the clause making an exception in favour of the natives of the Islands and of NewZealand situated in' the Pacific Ocean beyond the Commonwealth. This wording is considered vague. The point was? raised whether the clause would not.include the natives if New Guinea . Senator It. E. O'Connor, on.- behalf of the Government, said 7 that he did not see any danger to a White Axistralia- in. their adopting this principle. He looked forward' to the day when New Zealand! would enter the Federal TJnion, butwhen that day came it would be only on. teems giving the aboriginal's 'of that* country the same political -rights as thej; now enjoyed. Senator Stewart. said thatthe, present policy ,of New Zealamt seemed to be to become suzerain: over ali the islands, and that when she came into the federation she would bring all* her satellites with her. The question would then arise of enfranchising the inhabitants of these islands. The clause was amended to make it^clear that the* exception was in favour of the aboriginal natives of New Zealand only. The Executive Council have adopted the long-delayed postal regulations for a. uniform system throughout the Commonwealth.

The Senate gave another rebuff to the Government, the necessary majority not voting in favour of the motion to suspend the Standing Orders and pass the Supply BUI. Fresh, notice was givea fop to-morrow.

The Senate passed the Supply Jßill. The House accepted the Senate's amendment in the Franchise Bill with reference to Maoris.

At the inquest at WanganuJ into tlie death of a man named To3land, who was found dead in bed, the jurjr returned 4 verdict that " Death was .catisod by poison.' At that time it could not be ascertained liow tlie poison was administered. The mystery has now been cleared up by a, man informing the police that Tosland two years ago bought strychnine- at Pipiriki. This man procured some wherewith to poison a dog, and deceased then told him h^ did not wish if; to be known he had strychnine in his possession.