A SCENE IN THE HOUSE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1713, 16 November 1887, Page 2

A SCENE IN THE HOUSE

[from our own correspondent..! Wellington, November 15. This afternoon a most paiuful and at tbe same time exciting scene took place m the House, and before its conclusion Mr Fergus called the attetition of the Speaker to Btrangers m th.9 galleries, upon which tho Speaker ordered the strangers to withdraw, including representatives of the press. The cause of the < disagreement was a question by Mr Thompson, the new member for M»raden, who asked if it was true that the services of two publlo servants had been retained by Sir J. Yogel since the resignation of the late Government, and at the publio OOBt. Tbe Premier replied that fiaoh was the case, and of course acqulaeod In by the I Government. , Sir J. Yogel thereupon made a personal explanation, m the course of which he bitterly referred to the paltry persecution he waa subjected to by members of the House, who were ever making hia personality a subjeot of attack, and referring particularly to the author of the question aaid it was obvious he *vas not possessed of a very large knowledge of men or manners. The Speaker hare interposed, and said he could not allow enoh remarks to pis 3 and ordered Sir J. Yogel to withdraw tho words. Sir J. Yogel did not seem laolinad to withdraw them, and tho Speaker Bald if the hon gentleman did not withdraw the words he mast take such steps as he might deem necessary. Sir Julias then withdrew the words and said ha would Bay then, " want of knowledge of the usage of parsons accustomed to mix Id good Booiety." The Speaker again objected to the language, and Bald Sir J. V 'gel had treapanted on the Indulgence of the House. M«" Seddon.— No, no. Sir J. Yogel said he would have to speak much plainer before he was done. The Speaker then said, — If the hon. gentleman does not desist I mast exerolse my authority by naming him. Sir J. Yogel then In an excited tone Intimated tbat certain members high m office In the House were given to lust of liquor, and the Speaker named him and ordered him to withdraw while the House dealt with his case. Wellington, November 16. After two hours of suspense and excitement tho galleries were opened to the public, and from the discussion which was proceeding it was apparent that the House had not then dealt with the case of Sir Julius Yogel, but had adjonrned the question till to-day. From what could be gathered of the debate after the galleries bad beon cleared, it appears that Mnjor Atkinson bad moved to the effect that Sir J. Vo^el had. committed a breach of the rules of the House, and tbat tho Speakor should admonish him ; but againßt this Mr Seddon moved an amendment to the effect that the words usad should be procured from "Hunsard," so as to enable the House to deal fairly with the mattor.

j Nothing definite has been decided on the question up >o the present, but there is a rumor current that Sir J. Yogel will not apologise; but will defy the Speakei acd res : gn hiß seat and seek ro-election I uaderstand that Mr Seddon intends to give a notice of motion traversing the Speaker's ruling, and a warm debate is expected. There seems to be a very general Impression that the.Speaker was wrong m his rullog m connection with the Voeel affair yeateiday. The position is briefly as follows : — Sir J. Yogel wan mmcd by the Speaker for having used certain words which the Speaker considered obj actionable, bnt the words were not taken down by the O'erk, which according to the Standing Ordors appears to be necessary. Tbli omission cannot now be remedied, as undor rale 135 every such ob]*9otion (to " offensive or anbeoomlug words ") is to be taken at the tfme when such words are used and not after any other member haa spoken. The next rale provides that " any member having used objectionable words and njt explaining orretrao ing the same, or offering apologlos for the use thereof, to the satisfaction of the House, will be censored or otherwise dealt with aa the House may think fit. But as the " objsctiouable" worda are not before the House, and as other members have Bpoken slnoe they were used, it seems clear that this cannot be dealt with. Sir J Yogel was namad by the Speaker under Rule 138, which only provides for "Noise and disturbance " on the part of any member, and aa the oharge against Sir J. Yogel is for ualng "objectionable " words and not for oreatlng a (> noiae and disturbance," It appears the Speaker named Sir J, Yogel under a wrong rnio, whilst the worda cannot be dealt with because they were not taken down at the time, If this view be upheld It is hard to understand how the matter can be proceeded with. It is further rumored that Air Soddon will today table a motion challenging the Speaker's ruling.