SMASHING A STONEWALL.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1918, 28 November 1913, Page 3

SMASHING A STONEWALL.

A FORGOTTEN INCIDENT. How forgetful folk are of sonic c.icur-, renees which Jiavo. taken place within a few years, remarks the Foilding "Star," and- yet are. quite able to quote, musty old records on tlio question at issue. Wo have had columns quoted of precedents (apropos of the second ballot abolition proposals) made over thirty years sgn'in the House of Representatives in smashing up n stonewall, and the Leader of tlio Opposition (Sir Joseph Ward) been, virtuously indignant at tlio' very idea of such a course being taken, reminding tlio House that during; twentyone year.; of Liberal rule such, a thing had never been dreamt about hy the party in power. AY hat .a joke!. Why, Sir 'Joseph Ward himself was mainly responsible for the- smashing up of tlio great, stonewall in 1902, when lie was endeavouring to get tlio Midland Railway Bill through. Committee iu the House. Tiie peculiar part of the affair being that it was members of 'his own party who were stonewalling the measure and n member of the Opposition who was.acting as Chairman of Cominitlees uhcu tlie smashing; took place. It was during the session of 1002, and Sir Joseph Ward was acting as Premier during tlio absence of Sir. Seddon at the coronation of King Edward. To bring the long-standing dispute between the Government and the -Midland llaihvay Company to an end it was proposed to pay the sum of £150,000 over in full settlement of the lattor's claims. This, a certain section of the Government supporters, including slessrs. 0. Fisher, J. T. 51. Hornsby, H. Ell, and T. 51. AVilford, strongly objected to, and they set up v. stonewall which lasted all night, despite the endeavours of a number of temporary chairmen belonging 'to the then Government party to stop it. At noon, Sir Joseph Ward sent the Government Whip (Mr. C. 11. Mills) to slr. Fred. I'irani, then member for I'alinoTSton, to ask him to take t'ho chair and endeavour to get the measure through. The request was accepted on one condition, namely, that he should retain tlio pesition for thrco hours. Sir. Joseph Ward consented—there; had been a change of Chairmen almost every halfhour—and tlio band began to play. That is-, tho slonowallcrs proceeded merrily, for a time. Then slr. I'irani began to limit their privileges and warned several members that if they did not stick closer to tho subject at issue ho would have to use- the rights of the Chair. An interlude was provided by an appeal to the- Speaker against a decision of tho Acting-Chairman, which, hy the way, Sir Joseph Ward strongly opposed, but gave way at Mr. Pirani's request. Sir. 51aurico O'Rorkc was Speaker, and upheld the Chairman, stating at'the- same time that the proceedings had been very orderly, and he hoped that every latitude would be extended to members. Tho House resumed iu Committee, and after a brief bout of stonewalling the real fun commenced. Jlr. Wilford, we think, was the first victim, lie was ruled out of order, and, still defying tho ruling of'the Chairman, he was ordered to resume his seat, and subsided with an expression of pained surprise. One after the other the mabontents were ordered down, until there was no one left to continue the obstruction, and the measure was passed through all its stages, two and'a half hours after 51r. I'irani had taken the chair, to the plainly expressed delight of Sir Joseph Ward, who knew that tho success of tho colony's financial ventures at Home depended on the Bill becoming law.