PARLIAMENTARY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6484, 29 September 1892, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. )

Wellington, last night. This afternoon was spent by the House in considering the amendments mads by the Legislative Council to the Electoral Bill. A motion was carried that the House disagrees with the amendments made by the Council, and a Committee consisting of Messrs Tanner, Guinness, and Seddon was set up to confer with the managers for the Council on the matter. It was evident from the discussion which took place that this Committee was not act up with a view to a conciliatory treatment of the amendments, and it is now considered certain that no compromise will be effected, bub that the Bill will be killed. There was much discussion on the proposal to extend the electors righfs to women and harvestsrs. Messrs T. McKenzie, Russell, Richardson, Saunders and Allen supported it firmly, and advocated an extension of this system to all classes of the community as a liberal reform. It. was urged that without the right to vote by letter the majority of the •women of the colony would not be enfranchised. Mr Rees considered that this system 6hould be conceded rather than that the principle of female franchise should not be established. Mr W. Hutchison took up a similar Btand, and urged that this matter bo approached in a conciliatory manner. Mr Seddon, in reply, urged thak the elective rights would tend to personation. If women were fit to be entrusted with the franchise it was an insult to them to say they were not to be placed on the same footing as males. With respect to the electoral privileges another reason for objection in women being granted the electoral rights, was that it would give an undue advantage to the employers of domestic servants. Ho had not included Sir John Hall's namo in tho committee because that gentleman had voted for splitting up the city electorates. Mr Rolleston regretted .Sir John Hall had not been appointed to the conference. He feared the course taken

would involve the loss of the Bill. Ministers desired a party triumph rather than the passing of the Bill, which was kept dangling bofore the electors. Several members of the Government party regrotted that the Acting-Premier would not include Sir John Hall's name on the conference. The Minister of Education reiterated the objection that Sir John Hall voted for the separation of the city electorates Sir John Hall charged the last speaker with having most unfairly put a wrong construction on his words. What he had contended was representation for the minorities without an expression of opinion as to single electorates. Ministers were taking the narrowest party view of tho matter. Mr Geo. Hutchison urged that Ministers had never been honest on female suffrage. The foremost champion of woman's cause ought tr> have been one of the delegates instead of the member for Greymouth, who had been a persistent opponent of the proposed reform. The Factories Act Amendment Bill passed its second reading in the Council by 14 to 6. The Native Land Purchase Bill also passed its second reading after considerable opposition. In reply to Mr Meredith, who alleged that defective freezing frequently occurred in the shore freezing works, the Minister of Linds said he thought it would be futile to attempt legislation to porvide for the inspection of meat, but when public opinion was ripe for such a step he would be glad to do so.

Wellington, today. The remaining section of the estimates, those relating to the Government Life Insurance Department, were passed last night. The remaining; clause of the Land Bill passed through Committee in the Council last night. The new sub-section to clause 190, allowing a person or company to occupy an aggregate area sufficient to carry 20,000 sheep or 4000 head of cattle, was carried by 12 to 1, the latter vote being that of the Colonial Secretary. A mortgagee was allowed two years instead of one in which to dispose of his lease or license. A number of minor amendments were agreed to and the third reading fixed for this afternoon. The Servants Registry Office Bill passed its final stages in the House last night. Clause 3, providing that outside of counties, boroughs, and town districts the Governor shall receive all fees, was struck otifc. The penalty for loaning a license was reduced from LSO to L2O, and Resident Magistrates substituted for Justices of the Peace and six ratepayers who were required to testify to applicants' character.

Wellington, this afternoon. The Native Affairs Committee this afternoon presented the following report on the petition of Herewini Te Toko and two others. The petitioners complain that John Lundon has wrongfully detained part of the purchase money for Kaitaia block, and pray for redress. The Committee having taken full evidence have the honor to report that in their opinion the evidence shows that the petitioners personally received from the Government officer, Mr Millar, the full amount of the purchase money agreed by the Government to be paid for the land. Therefore the Government are in no way responsible for what is alleged in the petition, but the Committee are further of opinion that if the petitioners considered that Lundon had not acted in accordance with any agreement entered into or made with him, they ehould have appealed to the law courts before appealing to Parliament, and as there is sufficient grounds to warrant the belief, which, if their allegations be true, render them considerable sufferers thereby, the Government be recommended to take the petitioner's case into j special consideration with a view of affording such assistance as will enable them to bring the matter before a Court of lr.vr. The Committee would also suggest that Government be asked to carefully note the apparently peculiar conduct of officials in the performance of their duties in connection with the above transaction. There voted for the adoption of the report Messrs Cadman, Carroll, Smith, Parnta, and W. Kelly. Against : Messrs Mitchelson, Richardson, Taipua.and Kapa. The minority desired to bring in a strong report reflecting on Lundon. In order to allow the Gisborne Harbor Act Amendment Bill to pass its final stages in the House this afternoon, Mr Kelly obtained the postponement of the presentation of tho Committee's report, whitewashing John London, about which there is to be a long debate.

The Native Validation of Titles Bill and the Land and Income Tax Assessment Bill are to be taken for their second rending in the House to night. The Premier has considerably improved in health, but is not expected to be able to again attend the House this session. The Industrial Conciliation Bill was before the Labor Bills Committee of the Council this morning when on Mr Stewart's motion the following new clause was added, that the Court of Arbitration shall have no power to compel any party or parties to a dispute to continue to employ or to serve unless he or they think fit so to do, nor shall any employer be prevented from engaging other persons. The object of the amendment is only to compel an employer if he engages a union man to comply with the terms of the award. Power was also given at Mr Stewart's instance to grant rehearings at any time within a month after the award is made, so as to correct any mistake which may have taken place. The Minister for Lands has every hope of being able to arrange a compromise in connection with the Land Bill, and tho probabilities are that the measure will become law this session. The Council amendments, to which exception are mainly taken are giving mortgagee power to sell under the Land Consolidation Act ; one man one run clause, whereby 20,000 sheep or 4000 head of cattle is made the aggregate carrying capacity ; allowing married women to become selectors ; Mr Ormond'a clause permitting three children of a selector to take up 1000 acres each ; and the extension of the lands which may be sold for cash in any one year to 250,000 acres, instead of £150,000 worth. Of course, in the event of this Bill being passed, the necessity of an appeal to the country during the recess is entirely removed. Mr Cadman this afternoon gave notice of hia intention to-morrow to move for leave to introduce the Native Land Court Act, 1886, Amendment Bill.