PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1730, 8 December 1887, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

[FBOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, December 7. MOBE TBOUBLB AHEAD. The leader of the Opposition sounded a note of warning to-day which has aa ominous riapr, and presages more tronble m these final days of the session, Whenthe hon. gentleman commenced his speech some curiosity was felt as to what was m the wind, but it soon became apparent that the Vogel- O'Rourke episode whioh It was believed was dead and burled, was to be resurreoted and brought forth again to be wrangled over on the floor of the House. He drew attention to the fact that he had some time slnoa pat a number of motions on tQB Order Paper m reference to a resolution of the House iv regard to his remarks reflecting on members, and pointed out that with such a motion hanging over him he had no opportunity of justifying his conduct. He proceeded to state that a fresh lnsalt m the shape of a question had been offered to him, and he thought it time that a stop should be put to this sort of thing. As a result of the motion ( he pointed out that he had been debarred from defending himself, although reflections had appeared m a paper of whioh one member of the Government was the reputed proprietor, whioh were as wine to water m comparison with what he had said . It had been stated that an apology from thbt paper was to be published, bat no aaoh apology had appeared, and next *veek had appeared m another paper (presumably a cartoon which was pab« lished m the Auckland " Observer ") an even worse reflection on the House and its members. No notice had ever been t*ken of these, while the motion whioh had been paaaed m reference to his action still remained on tihe reoords of the Houee; He thought it only fair, therefore, that Government should give htm an opportunity either of withdrawing or cancelling the resolution, and though he did not ask for that then, Government should take the matter into consideration. When Sir Julius had concluded his remarks no one followed, and cries of "question" arose from the Premier and other members; Sir Julius then said that if Government refused to give him the opportunity he desired, he should ba obliged to take his own remedy. The Premier pointed out that Sir Julius did not ask for a reply tben, bat If he wanted it he could have it. The reply of Government would be that they were nob prepared to give him any facilities for moving his resolutions. Sir Julius retorted that he should feel obliged if, after consultation with his friends, he deemed it advisable, as it seemed' to him that the Premier waa fprcing him to {ihja course, to take such action ag he conld do by way of a question of privilege. He would not undertake fa aay that he would do so, but if he believed that the Premier was not paying any heed to the appeal he waß making, he threw the whole responsibility on the Government of whatever course he might feel it necessary to take. The matter then dropped, and tho Housa proceeded to the orders of the day. la referenoe to this question, whioh has been considerably talked about, I am reliably informed that Sir Julias has deoided to bring the question cf the ••Bell" artlole and the "Observer" cartoon before the House by way of a question of privilege, whioh would take preoedenoe of all other business. No definite course has yet been decided upon, but m all probability the matter will be brought on as a surprise motion, perhaps to-morrow.