GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3160, 24 September 1892, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. FRIKDAY. Thk Council mft at 2.30 p.m. It was reported that a cimoromise had been effected with the House of Representatives on the Amendments in the. Bankruptcy Bill and the Workmen's Lien Bill. The reports were adopted. The Electoral Bill was further considered in committee. A new clause was inserted throwing the onus of proving the conviction nf any offence on tho person interested thereby disentitMmr him to vote. Trie new clause providing machinery for fxerciseof the franchise by women by allowing them to make a declaration and claim tor an elector's right provoke some discussion. The clause was acreed to by 13 to 8. Clause OS. providing for the issue of women's electoral rights, and clause 00, compelling women to produce the right when voting, were agreed to without a division. , Mr Oliver moved a new clause dividing the amalgamated city electorates of Auckland, Wellington, Christchv.rch and Diinedin each into three electoral districts. This was agreed to by 12 to 7. The Bill as amended was reported, and was immediately recommitted for the purpose of re-considering the interpretation clause. On the motion of MrTaiaroa, it was decided the word Maori shall mean man or woman, tho effect being to give Maori women a vote. Col. Whitmore moved that the word " person " does not include " woman." This was lost by 13 to (i. The Bill was then reported, the third reading bein ■; made tho order of the day for Tuesday. The Local Bodies Loans Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. At 5 p.m. the Council adjourned till 7.30 p.m. The Council resumed at 7.30 p.m. The Land for Settlement Bill, Oamaru Harbour Board Advance Repayment Bill, Otago School Commissioners Empowering Bill, and Auckland Harbour Board Empowerintr Bill were read a second time. At 8.33 p.m. the Council adjourned till Tuesday. FRIDAY. Tho House met at. 2 30 p.m. The Waste Lands Committee reported that they had no recommendation to make on the Land Board Election Bill. Hon. MoKen/.ie said that as it was very unlikely that at this stage of the session the Biil would be able to get through, he should move that the Bill be discharged from the Order Paper. Mr Rolleston congratulated the Minister for Lands on having come to this decision. It appeared to him that considerable expense had heen incurred for nothing, and that the Government never intended to proceed with this Bill. The motion was agreed to. Replying to questions, it was stated that an extension of time for twelve months for old soldiers claims would not be advisable, as the Government wished to have some finality in the matter ; that the Government were not sure whether public business would allow of the Libel Bill being proceeded with this session ; that the Government hoped to secure a better method for the cool conveyance of dairy produce to ports of export than at present in use, but the matte.-was really one for the Railway Commissioners; that the Government would afford every facility for proceeding with the Friendly Societies Bill, and if no other opportunity offered, the Government would take up the Bill. A long debate on the unemployed question was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The TairoaLatid Bill and Customs Laws Consolidation Act Amendment Bill were read a second time. The debate on the second reading of the Servants Registry Office Bdl was resumed. Several members spoki against the measure as being another specimen of tho grandmotherly legislation of the present Government, A hostile amendment by Mr McKenzie was rejected on the voices and the second reading wa3 carried by 42 to 10, Mr Rolleston, Sir G. Grey, and many of the Opposition members voting for it. The Naval and Military Settlers and "Volunteers Land Grants Bill was road a second time. On the motion that the House go into Committee of Supply, Mr Guinness moved an amendment that the Government should place a sufficient sum on the estimates for assisted passages of separated families now resident in England. Mr Ballance hoped the House would not agree to this motion as it would open up the whole question of assisted emigration. The amendment was lost by 33 to 13. Mr Duthie called attention to the fact that there were large increases in annual expenditure notwithstanding that a great many officers had been dismissed. [Left sit'.iog at midnight.l