POLITICAL NEWS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6148, 21 August 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL NEWS.

OWtf CORRESPONDENT.— BY TELEORU>H. Wellington, last night. When the Female Suffrage Bill comes no, Mr Fish will ironically move that ladies be entitled'to seats in the House. The Postmaster-General proposes to allow Trades Unions' and Friendly Societies' netifications to pass through the post at newspaper rates. Mr Smith wants "the Government to allow the Hinemoa to take members to inspect the Taranaki harbor before the discussion of the reporfe. There are 272 owners of land, the unimproved value of whioh runs from L 20,003 to L 210.000 and over, the total unimproved values being L 16,310,063. Mr O'Conor moved that blocks of land be set aside for settlement of decrepit and destitute persons and the industrious unemployed. — The* motion was shelved after a slight discussion. . The Bureau of Industries has already provided 1108 men with employment. Several unimportant Bills wore dealt with in the Council, who take the Tax Bill on Tuesday. To-day. Last night was occupied with the transaction of private members' business. The Law Practitioners' Bill (Grey) was taken in Committee. Mr R. Thompson moved an amendment allowing women to become lawyers. He said women had as gre.it debating power as men. (Laughter.) The amendment was CArrietl on the voices. Several members opposed the enrolment without a fee, but that was carried. Mr Guinness moved that no person be entitled to become a lawyer unless he has served in a law office for three years. This was negatived by 15 to 40. Whilst Mr Buckland was speaking to the thin! reading at 9.14, a most violent shook of earthquake occurred. Most of the members and those iv the galleries roso to their feet, whilst Mr Buokland, who had been very verbose, ejaculated loudly " By Jove, that was a big one." On recovering from his start he caused laughter by saying that it was in consequence of their action in passing such<a Bill. The Book Purchasers Protection Bill fchen passed the Committee Sir John Hall's Friendly Societies Bill was the next to come on, and brought J forth much discussion. The labor members constantly reiterated that the Union Company and other employers were endeavoring to make their laborers serfs. An amendment is to be moved by Mr J. Mills allowing employers who contribute to sib on the Board of Management elected by the employees, but the labor party objected to allow employers to have a voice in the direction of any benefit society, «a they would simply intimidate. They contended that any society with employers guiding it would be calculated' to crush out the unions. On the other hand, ii was urged that the employers and employed should not; be separated, but drawn together in friendly relations. The amendment, was negatived by 2*T to 9. The penalty was reduced from six months' imprisonment to fifty pounds fine. The Bill then passed the Committee. Mr G. Hutchison's Gaming and Lotteries Bill came next. Clause 3 was struck out. The motion to strike out the cl.vise legalising consultations was negatived by ' 21 to 14. Aftor several other amendments the Bill gob through, but it is a perfect abortion, and can never become law. The third reading of the Friendly Societies Bill raised much debate. The Bill was read a third times, also the Book Purchasers Bill. The Gamingand Lotteries Bill was postponed. The House rose at 2.40.