LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Southland Times, Issue 12328, 22 September 1892, Page 3

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wellington, Sept. 21. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. The Electoral Bill wis recommitted and after a short debate Mr Stevens moved that the interpretation clause be postponed until the Council had decided on the machinery proposed . Sir P. Buckley said he was going' to carry the bill as it came to the Council and in no other way, and he could not accept any of the amendments made by the Statutes Revision Committee. Sir G. Whitmore opposed the motion as he thought the main question, as to whether women should or should not be allowed to vote, had been settled first of all. Ho thought the Constitution of the colony should not be altered until an appeal had been made to the country. Mr McLean objected to privileges being granted to any class as he thought everyone should go to the poll.

1 The clause was postponed by lfi to 7. Mr Oliver moved an amendment to the clause with the object of prohibiting inmates of charitable institutions from voting. The Colonial Secretary designated the amendment as heartless. It was almost inhuman to disqualify unfortunate people on account of poverty. Dr Pollen opposed the amendment. The franchise was so general that to exclude people on account of their poverty would be cruel. The C< lonial Secretary intimated he would stand or fall by the bill as he had introduce 1 it. Amendment agreed to by ]."> to S. — Mr Walker moved that old people's home inmates should be allowed to vote. — Negatived on the voices. Mr Swanson moved that the word " person " instead of " man " be inserted in clause 9, the effect, if agreed to, being that women as well as men shall be qualified to sit in the House of Representatives. — Amendment lost on the voices. In clause I.S, referring to t he residential qualification, the Statutes Revision Committee's amendment to make it necessary for a person to reside in a district for three months instead of one month before his name can bo inserted on the electoral roll was agreed to by 14 to 9. Progress was reported on clause f>9 being reacheJ, and the Council adjourned at 4.45 p.m.