POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 652, 27 August 1891, Page 2

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

[special to standabd ] Wellington, last night. In moving the second reading of the Native Land Bill the Hon, Mr Cadman said the general wish was that it ehsuld not be debated until it came back from the Committee, The Bill was not a party measure, and he would be glad to hear of suggested improve, mints from either side. He mentioned that he had received a telegram from the Mayor of Gisborne in reference to the approval ot the Bill by a public meeting. Some objection was taken to the constitution of the Committes. Mr Carroll strong'y objected to tha present form ot the Bill, saying that the lands could not Soseibly be dealt with by the indiviualism proposed. He said the Land Courts were not fitting of tha great trust that would be put upon them, end the powers allowed to the Judges ware altogether too great. Mr Rees also spoke against (he Bill, saying that it would be a perpetuation of the worst system of individualism in dealings. Mr Cadman said he was quite willing to receive amendments, but certainly would not allow Mr Rees to frame the Bill as he desired. Tha second reading was agreed to. The course of the Native Land Bill through Committee is not likely to be smooth ; in fact the contrary is more likely to be the case, Mr Rees having expressed his deter, minatlon to have the Bill re-modelled. While the Native Minister is willing to accept any reasonable suggestions, he is equally determined not to allow his Bill to be pulled to pieces to suit any particular lines. The Select Committee to be set up to deal with the Bill include Messrs Bryce, Carroll, Buckland, Houston, G, Hutchison, Kapa, W. Kelly, Mitoheleon, Parata, Rees, Shers, W. Smith, Tarapus, end Cadman. THE WOMEN’S FRANCHISE. Tho second reading of the Female Franchise Bill was carried to 38 to 8, aa follows Ayos: Ballance, Bryce, Buchanan, Buckland, Buick, Cadman. Duncan, Duthle, Errnshaw, Fraser, Hall. Ha'l-Jones, Harkne-s. W. Hutchison, Joyce, J. Kelly, W. Kelly, Macdonald, T, M'Kenzle, M Outre, Meredith, C. H. Mills, Moore, O’Connor, Palmer, Perceval, Pinkerton, R. H J. Reeves, W. P. Reeves, Saunders, Shors, Tanner, Wright, Noes: B ake, Carncross, Dawson, Fish, Fieher, Kapa, Swan, Valentine. Mr Fish’s bitterness was an unp’easant fea'ure of the debate. He wound up by deserting the Government ride. When the House met in the afternoon It was evi lent from the appearanceo! (he ladies’ gallery that the frir eex were intensely in. tereeted in the debate about to take plao°. As a general rule the attendance of ladies at tha afternoon sittings is confined to half a dozen or thereabouts, and it is only from halt past 7 o'clock to the supper aljour imen'. st half past 10 that the ladies’ gallery presents a crowded appearance. This (Monday) afternoon, however, the ladies mus'ered in almost as full fores as on a budget night, and the majority of them remained till the House rose for dinner. Sit John HrU. in moving the second reading of the bill, made an eloquent anpaal to the Hous’ on behalf of the principle of female suffrage, and he advanced some strong argumeu's in favor of tha proposal, pointing out that all interests and opinions ought to be represented in the House, and yet those of women were not represented at present. Ths liquor question, education, and the labor problems, were all mattars in which women were interested equally with men, and there wre many social questions on which their assistance would be valuable. Ha con. tend’d that home duties should not prevent women trom taking their share in the discu'e sion rf larger questions any more than a doctor or lawyer or a merchant was prevented by attending to bis business. On tha con. trary, the larger sphere of of action would tend to widen the range of a woman’s thoughts and make her a more fit companion for her husband. Some people were afreid, he said, of the effects of tha proposed change upon politioal part’es He did not pretend to kn-w what the result might be, but ha agreed with Mr G'adetone that if the justice of women's claims were admitted, then the right ought to be conceded whatever the consequences. Sir John said that if women went to tho polls more attention would be given to the chsraster of the candidate tor morality than to party considerations, and Parliament would be barrel against any p'rson who was profligate as a man or corrupt as a politician, if the women ot the colony possessed the franchise. While the debate was proceeding an ad. dress was handed to Sir John which had been signed bv all the occupants ot ths ladies' gallery, 08 in number. The IBt of signatures was heeded by Mrs Ballance, wife of the Premier. The address stated that the eignera had attended that evening in the assured hope of seeing Sir John’s “noble and persistent ” efforts on (heir be'u’f crowned with success. They utterly repudiated the efates ment that they regardel tbs question with indifference or ware unwilling to be accorded the privilege of tha franchise, and they hoped that the address together with the numerous petitions received from the women ot New Zealand would abundantly disprove those unfounded allegations. They were

convinced that all true man desired to do them justice, and they hoped the Hones would that night demonstrate its superiority and that of New Zealand to Old World prejudices, and its resolution to deal equal justice to all, irrespective of eex. In oonclu. sion they desired to thank Sir John Hill most heartily for his unwearied ezirtions in tbeir cause, and through him all those who had advocated their csqse. When Mr Taylor was opp’alng the bill In his usual characteristic style, with spectacles in hand, and pointing towards the crowded ladies’ gallery he went on to eay, " I don’t think there’s a lady there—” Thia was received with cries of “ Oh I” from several members, and peals of laughters from the House, aa Mr Taylor made an awkward pause, He continued, however, “ Not a lady there but posiessos a certain amount of iofluence," anfi then continued his speeqh.