POLITICAL NEWS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6143, 15 August 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS.

A MONSTER PETITION. OWN CORRESPONDENT. — BY TELEGR4PH. Wellington, last night. It has been said that, women do not want, the franchise, said Sir John Hall, ag he this afternoon presented the longest petition ever made to Parliament. It was signed by 7685 women over the age of 21, residents in various parks of the colony, and prayed for electoral rights. The petition was over seventy yards long, and aa Sir John unrolled it across the floor of the House he looked really proud. He also presented eight other petitions containing 1462 signatures. The Electoral Bill will be taken tonight, and the proposed amendment to extend the franchise to women will be discussed. The Rabbit Nuisance Act Amendment, Workmen's Lien and Consolidated Stock Bills passed their second reading in the House, and the Libel Bill its third reading in the Council. WHOLESALE LEGISLATION. The House went into Committee and passed the Marriage Aofc Amendment, Distillation Act Amendment, Excise Dutios, Trustees Aot Amendment, Post and Telegraph Classification Amendment, Public Bodies Powers Amendment, River Boards Amendment, Public Revenues, and Selectors Land Revaluation Bill without any important amendments. To-day. A stonewall was set; up last night by Mr Fish, who occupied the attention of the House from 7.30 till 11.30. He first obstructed the Selectors Revaluation Bill for two hours, in order to shut oufc the female franchise in the Eleotoral Bill, which was the next in order. The Selectors. Bill ultimately got through. Then Mr Fish moved that the Chairman laave the chair, and on this motion delivered an extensive stonewall speech, in whioh he talked at random, using strong language against women having the f rsuichise. He expressed his detornunftfion to obstruct l he Bill iv every shape and form allowed by the Parliamentary rules to prevent the, f ruuehiso being extended to women. When Mr Fish collapsed, the Premier and Mr E. M. Smith reproved Mr Fish, and then Mr Taylor (Sydenham) took up the running and made a most amusing speech. Mr Blake threatened lo do a little stonewall with every clause of Iho Bill if this proposal was embodied in its. Mr Reeves (Lvuigahua) wanted to see women have the franchise, and also the right of sitting in Parliament. Mr Fisher said the women did not wants tho vote, and urged Government not to imperil their Bill by allowing Sir John Hall's amendment. Mr Swan said he intended to persist in a determined attack against the proposal. The Minister of Education at 1.15 moved that progress bo reported, but Mr Buckland protested againsb the House being tyrannised by Mr Fish and others. He asked fox the Bill not to be sacrificed because of the stonewalling from a small minority. Sir John Hall regretted that the Government should give \yay to three or four stonewaliers. Mr Saund«rs said if thoy reported progress after the exhibition of last night they had better go home and leave the business of the country to some one or two members, who were frightened that by the enfranchisement of half of the community thoy would lose their seats. He would go on till 12 o'clock on Saturday night. A large number of members stuck out determinedly, speaking at length againsb reporting progress. They said this obstruction must be put down or there would be endless trouble during the session. Several members declared that the obstruction came from the brewers and their : representatives. The motion for adjournment was put at 2*30 and carried by 20 to 18. The House adjourned. It is almost certain that the Bill will be shelved.