A DISSOLUTION HINTED AT.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14831, 24 November 1913, Page 7

A DISSOLUTION HINTED AT.

« CUTTING THE GORDIAN KNOT."

WHAT DID MR MASSEY MEAN?

POWERS OF THE SPEAKER

(srtcuh to "the runs.' > WELLINGTON, November 23. Jhere has been a great deal of comment in the Jobbiee and political circles generally since yesterday morning as to what the Prime Minister was referring to when, in replying to some remarks ty the Loader of the Opposition, in reference to tho obstruction of the second ballot repeal, he spoko of a way o f "cutting the Gordian knot." Jt is thought that Mr Massey was feinting at a dissolution as a way out •of the present deadlock and tho persistent policy of obstruction generally that has been maintained by the Opposition Party during the present session.

Mr Massey, on being interviewed eubsequently regarding his remarks, declined to make any statement on the eubjecfc, but many think that there is -little doubt as to tho meaning of his speech, particularly as he indicated that it "might be necessary for members to account to tho electors "in the very near future" in respect to their last election pledges regarding tho second ballot.

The Leader of the Opposition, as the report of his remarks in another column will show, apparently had no doubt but that Mr Massey was referring to tye possibility of v dissolution. Hβ declared that this would be a "departure from the constitutional position which would not bo tolerated," but it is to be presumed that the Priroo Minister did not make his statement without being sqre of his grouud. Should there be . a dissolution the general elections could •not take place before February or . • March. .

,In view of Mr Massey's statement, tho progress of the stonewall is being watched with increased interest. Another subject that is receiving attention is the possibility of the obstruction being terminated by the prohibition from the chair of the continuance of obstructive tactics. Those who have been delving into past records are recalling an incident of September 2nd, 1881, in connexion with the historic stonewall of tho Representation Bill introduced by the Hall Government. After the Bill had been stonewalled continuously for 48 hours the Speaker, ..Sir Maurice O'Rorke, made a sigmfi- ■ cant statement which, whilst Jt did not end tho stonewall, caused it to come , to a close sooner than would otherwise , hero been the case. f . . -. •'Honourable members, said fair Maurice O'Rorke, "must not suppose that Standing Orders were trained for the purpose of tying the hands of the House and proventing it from dealing with the matters that the public baa sent us hero for. . I feel ashamed that the people's name should be prostituted by saying that such obstruction of business as we have.witnessed is an exhibition on behalf or tho people's liberties. There are far other services that the people -■■ require at our hands—namely, we should givo due and mature consideration to tho matters, submitted - - to us, and not so abuse the forms of tho House as in a great measure ■ to paralyse its powers, demoralise • '- ito members,-and bring it 'into con* tempt. I mention these things in ■ order that there shall be no mistake that there is a power to re? ' lease this House from a deadlock, if it should be attempted.to bring ono about. In tho exercise of that •" " power it will be found tha,t 7, for one, will not flinch from the duty . I- entrusted to mc." i .PINING OF MR GISBORNE.

•Prior to the speech of Sir Maurice O'Rorke the Chairman of Committees , (Mr A. P. Seymour) had pointed out that S3 motions to report progress and • for the chairman to leave the chair had been put alternately without the Bill 'being advanced a single stage, and that "for the present he did not propose to ■■ allow any more such motions to be put. ■He Added that he would not allow his ruling to be disputed. Mr Gisborne, ' one of the stonowallors, then moved "That progress be reported in order that the unprecedented ruling of the chairman should bo submitted to the consideration of the House." The chairman refused to accept the motion, but Mr Gisborne persisted in speaking to it, and he was reported by the chairman to tho Speaker for disorderly conduct. The House adjudged Mr Gisborne to bo guilty of contempt and he was fined £20. This is one ot the.most memorable incidents in the records of stonewalling in New Zealand.'.' HOUSE OF COMMONS INCIDENT. In the same year a noteworthy incident occurred in the British House of - Commons, when a declaration similar to that of Sir M&nrico O'Rorko was! made by Speaker Brand. After the Prot*srf<4a of Person and Property in l"»imd bill had bean stonewalled for p'but two days, the Speaker said: ."The dignity, the credit, and the authority of this House are seriously . threatened, and it \is necessary that they should be vindicated. Under the operation of the accustomed rules and methods of procedure, the legislative powers of the House are paralysed. A new and exceptional course is imperatively demanded, and 1 am satisfied that I shall best carry out the will of tho House, and may rely upon its support, if I decline to call npon any more members to speak and at once proceed to put the question from the chair." ;

This declaration had the desired effect, v

- The powers of the Speaker in New Zealand are, of course, as great to-day •s they were in 1881.